The Club is providing support to Rankine after he was racially abused on social media
The Adelaide Football Club strongly endorses the ban handed to a fan who directed a disgusting racial slur towards Crows midfielder Izak Rankine.
The Club is providing support to Rankine after he was racially abused on social media by a Brisbane Lions member on Sunday.
It is even more disappointing given it is NAIDOC Week and a time at which we should be celebrating Indigenous culture rather than dealing with vilification.
In the past 24 hours, the Crows have been in contact with the AFL’s Integrity Department and the Lions, who have cancelled the membership of the person responsible.
Crows CEO Tim Silvers said while Brisbane’s quick action sends a message such behaviour is totally unacceptable, it is infuriating that these situations continue to occur.
“There is no place for racism of any kind in society and it is extremely sad and disappointing that we find ourselves dealing with yet another abhorrent attack on one of our players,” Silvers said.
“As an industry we have a collective responsibility to not only call out racism, but do everything we can to eradicate it, and we support Brisbane which has acted swiftly and decisively.
“It is also important we take the time to understand the hurt this behaviour causes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because unfortunately, despite how far we have come in this space, the message is still not getting through.
“The Club will continue to support Izak and his family and do whatever we can to stamp out racism in football and the wider community.”