‘When will this end?’: Eagles double down on condemnation of Liam Ryan slurs

Author : mamun Published: March 26, 2019

Updated

March 26, 2019 18:15:56

Photo:
The video shows Eagles players behind Phil Narkle and Chance Bateman as they oppose racism. (Twitter: @WestCoastEagles)

The West Coast Eagles have doubled-down on the condemnation of racist social media comments directed at forward Liam Ryan, posting a video online in a bid to educate and influence change in the community.

Key points:

At least two Instagram users called Liam Ryan an offensive name on a @7afl post
The reigning premiers have forcefully condemned the slurs
One offender has had his Richmond membership suspended for two years

West Coast Indigenous liaison officer and former player Phil Narkle and recently-appointed development coach Chance Bateman produced the video outlining the hurt caused by such posts, in which Ryan was branded a “monkey” by some fans.

“We are united at this football club. We are united at this club and we do not accept or tolerate racism,” Noongar elder Narkle said.

“When will this end?”

Narkle and Bateman — a Hawthorn premiership player — go on to add further background to why the offending word is a hurtful term for Aboriginal people.

The pair front the video with a significant number of the Eagles squad members standing in the background, including Ryan himself and coach Adam Simpson.

External Link:

West Coast tweet video

A number of other AFL clubs, including Sydney and West Coast’s opponents this weekend, the GWS Giants, have shown support for the Eagles’ stance on social media.

AFL suspends Richmond member over abuse

The AFL has released a statement saying its integrity unit had completed its investigation into the comments and suspended the club membership of one of the people responsible.

Photo:
Eagles forward Liam Ryan was singled out in at least two racist comments on Instagram. (AAP: Darren England)

The unnamed person has received a two-year ban of their Richmond Football Club membership.

Ryan was targeted after a post on the official Channel 7 AFL Instagram account asked fans if the forward should be suspended for a clash with Darcy Gardiner during the Eagles’ surprise loss to the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

At least two used the opportunity to direct slurs at the 22-year-old Indigenous player.

Photo:
Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui posted a screenshot of the comments on Twitter. (Twitter: Nic Naitanui)

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui took a screenshot of the since-deleted comments and posted them to Twitter, asking: “When will it end?”

“These fools need to be held accountable at some stage,” Naitanui wrote.

Adelaide Crows star Eddie Betts was again subjected to racist abuse on social media this year, while AFLW star Tayla Harris was also targeted by sexist trolls less than a week ago.

Photo:
Eddie Betts has previously said racism was wrecking his enjoyment of the AFL. (AAP: David Mariuz)

Topics:

sport,

australian-football-league,

aboriginal,

race-relations,

perth-6000,