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AFL community rallies around Richmond players after vile racist abuse on social media that has been referred to the Integrity Unit
- Richmond players Marlion Pickett and Maurice Rioli Jnr were targeted online
- A Twitter user launched a series of vile racist attacks on the Tigers players
- Those comments have been condemned by past and present AFL players
- The matter has also been referred to the AFL’s Integrity Unit for investigation
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Past and present AFL players have rallied around the Richmond duo at the centre of shocking racist abuse on social media at the weekend, with the club referring the matter to the AFL’s Integrity Unit.
A Twitter user Ryan Stewart released a series of posts naming players Marlion Pickett and Maurice Rioli Jnr and tagging Essendon Football Club after their loss to Richmond on Saturday night.
A post aimed at West Australian and two-time Richmond premiership player Marlon (sic) Pickett read: ‘did you see that f****** black aboriginal ex-con Marlion Pickett try to take out Michael Hurley on the boundary, did he learnt that in prison Marlon Pickett’.
Another attack was targeted at Rioli: ‘where did Richmond get Maurice rioli jr from from the zoo or did he come from the jungle the black ape, the only thing missing from Maurice rioli jr is bunch of bananas the gorilla.’
Richmond released a statement condemning the attacks today.
‘Two Richmond players were the subject of vile racist abuse online,’ the club said in the statement.
‘The club condemns the behaviour in the strongest-possible terms.
‘The pathetic individuals who choose to behave in such a way need to be called out.
‘The club has referred the matter to the AFL Integrity who will now seek to identify the individual.’
Former Carlton and Adelaide legend and Indigenous footballer Eddie Betts threw his support behind the Richmond duo that were targeted in the abusive messages.
‘This needs to stop,’ Betts posted.
‘I’ll continue to stand strong with all my brothers and sisters.’
Liam Ryan posted this message condemning the statements made by the Twitter user
Current West Coast Eagles Indigenous player Liam Ryan also supported the duo, posting on Instagram and calling out the abuse.
‘This is f*****g disgusting. It needs to stop. Got your back my brothers,’ Ryan said.
AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh also slammed the ‘filth’ posted by the Twitter user.
‘More racist filth directed at two of our indigenous players,’ he posted.
‘All at AFLPA stand with Marlion and Maurice Jr.
Maurice Rioli of the Tigers in action during the 2022 AFL Round 23 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
‘Why anyone would think like this, let alone posted about it is completely beyond me.’
The Richmond duo were the latest players to be targeted by racist abuse online this season after a string of earlier incidents.
At Adelaide Oval, Carlton star Adam Saad was reportedly called a ‘terrorist’ by a member of the crowd.
Marlion Pickett of Richmond during the AFL Round 22 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne
Callum Ah Chee received racial abuse after Carlton’s Patrick Cripps was cleared to play in the final two games, despite his big bump on the Lion.
Back in July, Fremantle called out the ‘cowardly’ racial abuse directed at Michael Walters and Michael Frederick.
Carlton’s Kysaiah Pickett was also trolled after he kicked the match-winning goal against Melbourne in Round 22.