Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel are expressing concerns over the inadequate punishment for individuals who send anonymous racist messages to AFL players. This issue has come to light following Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli receiving racist backlash on Instagram after an on-field altercation with Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy during their match on Saturday night.
McGuire, speaking on Nine’s Eddie and Jimmy podcast, condemned the racist comments directed at Rioli, describing it as “racism at its worst.” He emphasized that Rioli should not have to endure such treatment for an incident that occurred during a football game.
Bartel, also on the same podcast, criticized the existing system for addressing racism in the game, stating that it is ineffective as the perpetrators can hide behind screens. He suggested that social media platforms, particularly in Australia, should implement identification measures or a social media license to prevent these incidents from happening repeatedly.
McGuire acknowledged the severity of the racist comments towards Rioli and called for the AFL to develop a stronger plan to combat and expose those responsible. He acknowledged the need for rehabilitation but questioned how many times people need to be told that such behavior is unacceptable. He expressed hope that the AFL will thoroughly investigate the matter and hold the culprits accountable.
In conclusion, McGuire and Bartel are urging for stronger actions in addressing racism in the AFL, particularly when it comes to anonymous online abuse. They believe that additional measures need to be implemented by both social media platforms and the league itself to prevent such incidents and ensure accountability.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
