AFL/Pies Discrimination

Here we go again with the Racial Discrimination saga.

Time to put on the silk gloves.

Latest news in the tabloids is that two Collingwood supporters have been accused of Racially Vilifying Carlton player Chris Yarran.

It is alleged that a Collingwood member has made a formal complaint to the club against two Collingwood members that made racial remarks towards Chris Yarran.

Collingwood has been in this position before when they suspended an existing member for one year based on evidence from a supporter and also from magpie player Dale Thomas who had backed up the complaining member.

Magpie CEO Gary Pert said last night the club had launched an investigation after receiving a formal complaint from a magpie member.

"We have been advised of the seat numbers of the two club members who allegedly racially vilified the Carlton player," Pert said.

"Our position on vilification is absolute. If the allegations are proven, memberships of the offenders will be canceled indefinitely. Several members of the crowd have claimed the language was highly offensive and we are now making contact with other members who may have been within earshot. I would encourage anyone who was at the game and witness to the alleged behavior to contact the club."

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has mooted league-imposed bans on fans found guilty of severe cases of racial abuse towards players.

Demetriou said he supported Collingwood in its investigation following allegations two members abused Carlton player Chris Yarran during last Sunday's blockbuster at the MCG.

"If there is anyone in the crowd that thinks it's OK in this day and age they will be dealt with if there was proof," Demetriou told 3AW this morning.

"If it was very severe then the AFL might take action... we might prevent someone from going to the football for some period of time."

Both organisations are absolutely correct in saying that no player should be racially discriminated against by any member of the public of indeed opposition players.

BUT WHAT ABOUT DISCRIMINATION IN GENERAL.!

Unfortunately were living in a bubble where all the attention is focused on racism and it fells like everyone has to go into a frenzy when the word is mentioned.

Both Collingwood and the AFL hold up this almighty policy against racial discrimination but what about discrimination in general !!!!!!

Why didn't Gary Pert hold an investigation into a past coach who allegedly called an opposition player a rapist. Is that not discrimination? And if that incident was proven correct would the coach be suspended for a year? I think we all know that answer. I bet every week at a Collingwood game discrimination is leveled against many opposition players and indeed the umpires. Would Pert start suspending supporters for discriminating against any player or official? I think we know the answer to that as well. 

As for Andrew Demetriou and his board the same could be said. Old news i know but Matt Rendell was sacked by Adelaide with the full backing from the AFL. A couple of weeks later one of the AFL'S own staffers made some false racially discriminative remarks without judgment. Further to their one sided stance we now find the AFL is backing an Aboriginal u/18 team . In my world that is discrimination against anybody who is not Aboriginal. Even Aboriginal advocate Dean Rioli suggested the AFL'S move was discrimination. What about young non-Aboriginal footballers from those areas that didn't get the opportunity to play for a TAC U/18 team? Where's the special team for them?

Make no mistake, there is no room in sport for any type of discrimination but It's time the sporting community starting with the AFL and Collingwood looked at our athletes as athletes only and not their race, color, religion or any other category that may exist!

Only when all athletes are treated the same will the divisions that currently exist disappear into the past.

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