Police launch an investigation after AFL great Eddie Betts shared video of his children copping vile racist slurs

Police are investigating after children of AFL great Eddie Betts were victims of a horrific racist attack while playing basketball in the backyard of their home.

CCTV footage shows a white car slowly rolling past Betts’ home in Glen Iris before someone in the car shouts a racial slur four times around 8.30pm on Thursday.

The footage was shared by Betts, 37, on Instagram, who wrote: ‘Aboriginal children deserve to play safely, free from racism and abuse across the fence.

‘We’re not even safe in our own home. If you know who this is, please let me know I’m open to a conversation about how much this is hurting our children.”

The AFL, its clubs and players and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have condemned the shameful incident and pledged their support to the Betts family.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed they were investigating after receiving a report ‘in relation to verbal racist abuse towards children’ at Glen Iris’ home.

“It is alleged that a vehicle drove past the property just after 8.30pm and shouted through the windows before driving away,” police said in a statement.

“The matter is currently under investigation.”

Police are calling on anyone who has information that could support the investigation to come forward.

Betts, who played 350 games in a stellar career for Carlton and the Adelaide Crows, received widespread support after sharing a video of the incident on his Instagram page.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and general manager for inclusion Tanya Hosch said this behavior has no place in sport or wider society.

“We must express our strongest condemnation against another example of overt racism, this time against children playing sports in their own front yards,” they said in a statement on Friday.

“We recognize Eddie Betts’ leadership for bringing this to national attention. Racism is wrong. Racism is harmful. Racism requires a response.

“The AFL takes this opportunity to remind everyone at all levels of the game that racist behavior is never welcome.”

Expressions of support for Betts and his family poured in from the football world.

‘Scandalous. Sending love Eddie,” said AFL club the Western Bulldogs.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge further said the attack left him angry and emotional during his weekly press conference on Friday morning.

“It’s clear that as a club everyone has put something together to express their support, love and concern for the Betts family,” Beveridge said.

‘Very simple: it makes my blood boil.

‘Everyone feels the same. I hope everyone does that.’

Sports reporter Tony Armstrong, who played 35 AFL games for the Sydney Swans and Collingwood, visibly reacted to the footage on ABC’s New Breakfast on Friday morning.

Armstrong said he was “not shocked that it’s happening… I’m more disappointed that people think this doesn’t happen, that this comes out of the blue.”

“As a black person in this country, you walk out the door and you know that anything can happen based on the color of your skin, based on who you are as an Aboriginal person,” he said.

“(But) this is inside the house … over the fence, and we saw the reaction of the kids running in.”

Armstrong said he hoped Betts’ children “won’t have a long-term sense of PTSD from this, but unfortunately they probably will because this won’t be the only thing they’re exposed to…I’m devastated.” .

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan offered her support to the Betts family.

“It is sickening and disgusting that children playing basketball in their own backyard should be subjected to such disgusting racist abuse,” she said.

“(Betts) has spoken a lot about his own personal experiences with racism and he has been a strong and proud Indigenous man.”

The AFL Players’ Association also offered support, calling the incident “appalling.”

“No one should ever have to experience this. We have your back, Eddie,” they wrote.

Federal MP for Higgins, in Melbourne’s south-east, Michelle Ananda-Rajah, said she had experienced similar situations.

“As a person of color, I’ve had to deal with this too,” she said.

‘Now I look at the haters. The children belong here, they make our community more vibrant and stronger. They shouldn’t be afraid to be here.’

Betts retired from the AFL in 2021, but said he was was repeatedly racially abused online during his career and had a banana thrown at him during a match at Adelaide Oval in 2016.

Announcing his retirement, Betts said he was tired of fighting racism and stated that the AFL was not a safe environment for Indigenous players.