AFL Condemns Racial Abuse of Players Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne

In a disheartening incident over the weekend, St Kilda Football Club’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Port Adelaide’s Jase Burgoyne were subjected to anonymous racial abuse via social media. Following their respective matches, both players shared these messages on their Instagram accounts, prompting a strong response from the Australian Football League (AFL), as well as their clubs.

The racist comments directed at Wanganeen-Milera and Burgoyne surfaced after St Kilda's narrow five-point defeat against Sydney and Port Adelaide's victory over West Coast. Wanganeen-Milera, a proud Kokatha and Narangga man, received derogatory messages linked to his performance, while Burgoyne faced similar abuse that also targeted his family. In a post responding to the hateful messages, Wanganeen-Milera expressed disbelief, writing, "Over a game of football! Hero mate."

St Kilda's Chief Executive Officer, Carl Dilena, condemned the abuse, stating, "As a club, we do not accept racist behaviour of any kind. These comments are abhorrent and have no place in our game or our community." He emphasized the need for a safe and inclusive environment, reinforcing the club’s commitment to support Wanganeen-Milera and all First Nations individuals.

Port Adelaide also voiced their strong condemnation. The club issued a statement declaring, "Such abuse is reprehensible and will not, and should not, be tolerated," and announced their cooperation with the AFL Integrity Unit to identify the perpetrators. They encouraged fans to report online abuse, urging social media platforms to take accountability for the actions of their users.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon acknowledged the courage shown by Wanganeen-Milera and Burgoyne in sharing their experiences. He stated, "To hide behind a fake account is cowardly, and I want the people that have created these online accounts and racially abused our players to know that our game does not want you. Racism is never acceptable, and these incidents demonstrate there is so much more work to be done."

The AFL and the AFL Players Association have been vocal in condemning online racial abuse, emphasizing the urgent need for action against such behavior. With increasing incidents of online harassment, the league's leadership is advocating for systemic changes in how social media platforms handle reports of abuse.

These incidents underscore a broader societal issue regarding racism in sports and the need for collective action to combat it. As sports organizations and governments grapple with these challenges, the call for accountability and reform continues to grow, pushing for a future where players can participate in their sports without fear of racial discrimination.

The AFL’s commitment to addressing racism goes beyond mere statements, as they seek to implement measures that ensure a safe environment for all players. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism in sports and the collective responsibility to foster respect and inclusion within the community.