Charlie Cameron is the latest AFL player to reportedly be the victim of racial abuse, with the Brisbane stars reportedly being the target of discriminatory comments on social media.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Lions condemned the incident and confirmed that the matter had been reported to the AFL Integrity Unit.
The Lions revealed the comments were brought to the club’s attention by a supporter, who noticed them on social media.
“The Brisbane Lions are shocked and appalled that one of their players, Charlie Cameron, was also the victim of vile, racist social media comments directed at him this weekend.” read the statement.
“It’s racism and abuse, and the club will not stand for it. At the Lions we are a family and if one is hurting, we are all hurting.
The Brisbane Lions are ‘shocked and appalled’ by the abuse directed at Charlie Cameron
Adelaide star Izak Rankine revealed he was racially abused on social media over the weekend
“This behavior was denounced by a Lions supporter who saw the comments on social media and we encourage everyone to continue to report this type of unacceptable behavior.”
Lions CEO Greg Swann condemned the “cowardly behavior” and expressed his frustration at the increased number of racist incidents in the sport.
“I am angry and disappointed that Charlie, and we as a football club and as an industry have to deal with this all the time,” he said.
“I’m baffled it’s still happening. It is cowardly behavior, hiding behind social media and insulting and attacking our players.
“We have reported the incident to the AFL Integrity Unit and apart from this statement, we want to take a strong stand against this occurrence and support any repercussions the perpetrator may face.”
The incident comes just days after Adelaide star Izak Rankine revealed he was racially abused on social media over the weekend.
The 22-year-old posted a screenshot of the message to his Instagram account, which revealed he received the abuse during his side’s win against Fremantle.
“Pretty disappointing to STILL be dealing with this. When will it end,” he wrote on his Instagram.
Meanwhile, Dockers duo Michael Walters and Nathan Wilson both reported offensive comments after their loss Adelaide on Saturday, with the club criticizing the “abhorrent and archaic” treatment of its players.
Last month young Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Western Bulldogs was racially abused both by a spectator and online after the match when his side played St Kilda.
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said the people who continued to attack AFL players from behind fake social media profiles were ‘pathetic’.
Its counterpart in Adelaide Tim Silvers struck a similar note, labeling the attack on Rankine ‘deliberate, totally unacceptable and disgraceful’ and said the club would support the player and his family.
“We all have a responsibility to expose this kind of reprehensible behavior,” he said.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks praised Rankine’s decision to denounce the abuse, adding that his welfare was the club’s main concern.
‘It’s not a person. This is someone who is actively under attack [Rankine]”The intent here is to hurt someone, to have an account where it can’t be traced,” he told Fox Footy.
“It’s not a real person in my opinion, and it’s disgraceful, but we’ll do what we can from here to support Isaac.”
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan condemned the incidents, reiterating that the league stood by the clubs and will continue to investigate the abuse of the players.
Fremantle stars Michael Walters (left) and Nathan Wilson (right) were both victims of alleged racist and homophobic slurs during Saturday’s game against Adelaide
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was allegedly abused by a St Kilda fan last month
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan condemned the incidents and said the league will investigate
“This has to stop,” he said in a statement.
“It hurts not only the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who are being targeted, but also all Indigenous players and players of color across the league, as well as their families, their teammates and friends.
“We strongly support all our players and condemn the racist slurs of everyone in football and everyone in the wider community.
“The AFL wants to make it clear that there is no place in our game for anyone who slanders our players.”