>
Tense moment hosts of The Project lash out at racism in Australian sport – after female AFL player claims she was called a ‘black animal’ during a match
- Melbourne female AFL player claims she was racially vilified during a club match
- Aish Ravi, of MCC Womens, said an opponent called her a ‘black animal’ in play
- Hosts of The Project tackled the subject of racism in Australia sport on Thursday
<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Hosts of The Project have lashed out at underlying racism in Australian sport after a female player claimed to have been called ‘a black animal’ during a match.
Aish Ravi, who plays for MCC Womens in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, slammed the league for their inaction following the alleged racial abuse.
Co-host Peter Heliar on Thursday night’s episode called on players and organisers at all levels to condemn racist behaviour.
The comedian said racism ‘is happening at al levels of all sports’ in Australia.
‘The code’s leaders need to stand up at the highest level and confront racism to set an example.’
Hosts of The Project have lashed out at underlying racism in Australian sport after a female player claimed to have been called ‘a black animal’ during a match
Aish Ravi (pictured), who plays for MCC Womens in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, slammed the league for their inaction following he alleged racial abuse
Ms Ravi said she immediately reported the ugly incident to the umpire and filed a report to the VAFA.
However, she claims little has happened since, with ‘no consequence being imposed on the perpetrator’.
‘The player referred to me as a black animal,’ Ms Ravi alleged.
‘I was shocked and shaken when I heard those comments to the point where I felt sick.’
Ms Ravi said the abuse crossed the line between sledging and racism, and complained that play wasn’t stopped when she heard the verbal attack.
She is calling for play to be stopped and for players to be sent off in such circumstances – as they would if someone ‘kicked an opponent’.
Ms Ravi (pictured, centre) pointed out that her teammates supported her and that her team defeated the alleged abuser’s club in a grand final match last Saturday
VAFA’s CEO Jason Reddick responded the incident on the episode by saying Ms Ravi went outside of the ‘official process’ to raise the issue which ‘was really not fair to all parties involved’.
He also claimed that her actions showed ‘a lack of respect’.
But Ms Ravi said: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong, I shouldn’t have to feel like the problem’.
She pointed out that her teammates supported her and that her team defeated the alleged abuser’s club in a grand final match last Saturday.