Sydney utility Adam Goodes will not take his place in the Swans’ match against the Adelaide Crows this Saturday at the SCG, and has been granted further leave from the club.
The Swans announced today that Goodes will take more time off from football, in light of the ongoing booing of the two-time Brownlow medallist at games in 2015.
A timeframe hasn’t been attached to his return to football.
Goodes has been relentlessly booed by crowds, with it culminating in him taking time off from the game this week. He is said to be considering his playing future due to the effect it’s having on his teammates.
The four-time All Australian and two-time premiership player admitted the booing was taking its toll, and has prompted AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, among others, to call for crowds to stop the practice.
Goodes was awarded the 2014 Australian of the Year award, and delivered a strong speech about racism in Australian society.
His words in that speech, as well as calling out a young girl at a match against Collingwood for racial abuse, have meant Goodes has become a focal point in the debate about racism in Australia.
Swans CEO Andrew Ireland said that Goodes’ welfare was the key priority in this decision.
“As a club we are working with Adam and those close to him and supporting him through what is a really difficult time,” he said.
“Adam is sick and tired of this behaviour. It has been happening for too long and it has taken its toll.
“We will give Adam all the time he needs. We will keep supporting him and he will return to the Club whenever he is ready,” Ireland said.
Nathan
Guest
Where our attention goes our energy flows!! This is either a beat up or a melt down? It's your choice!
Carlos
Guest
Oh won't some one think of the white people!!!!
Carlos
Guest
That is political correctness gone mad...How dare he say something that challenges me
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Coming from a nothing?
Carlos
Guest
You're a rookie alright.
Carlos
Guest
He didn't bully any one, but facts have nothing to do with whats happening here its pure jealousy and hate. The only bullying going on is the gutless morons in the stands and the tuff guy commenters on the internet.
Carlos
Guest
Let's be honest most booing Goodes are jumping on a racist bandwagon and are a bunch of self entitled, gutless, morons. Most doing it will deny that they did in the near future, none would have the guts or skill to achieve even a fraction of what Goodes has in his life. If your booing you're a racist don't kid yourself. if you're defending them you're defending racism, why don't you just own what you're doing.
Jim
Guest
Whites are sooks who hate everyone. Just watch them complain about being Asians buying all the prime properties lol
Qwerty
Guest
I'm pretty sure there are some indigenous peoples that are racist as well. I'm indigenous and I've seen first hand some of the most foul language which included the paraphrase "you white dog, c##t, gubba and more but there is not enough time for me to write. Go to the koori knockout and listen to some of the garbage the koori's spew out and that's to their own peoples. Everyone has racist elements in their behaviour and it doesn't matter if your white, black, Brown or yellow. By the way I don't think what is happening to Goodes is not racist and more about his character.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Most people might know but they don't care which is half the problem. Part of the problem is these things are never taught in school properly, part of it is that the bogans want their annual piss-up day without being reminded that coincides with the commencement of genocide. If you feel that this countries shameful history of Indigenous relations is not something to be angry about then that's extremely ordinary. The gap will never be closed until these things are addressed properly.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
Listen to your own words slane.
Wimpy men make me ill
Guest
Where did you go Dave M? As asked tell us why Adam Goodrs has brought this on himself? Or are you too gutless to answer from behind your boos and racist behaviour. Front up champ!
BennO
Guest
For good reason. The main point is that Australia has racist aspects it doesn't want to acknowledge. Goodes is asking us to look at it and see if we can do better....and we're booing him for it. Hotly wanted to prevaricate and avoid the issue. He/she deserved derision for avoiding the point.
BennO
Guest
Having lived in both countries, I disagree with you. But it's beside the point. The main point is that Australia has racist aspects it doesn't want to acknowledge. Goodes is asking us to look at it and see if we can do better....and we're booing him for it. It's further demonstration of the immaturity of our society that responders such as yourself fixate on the fact that an outsider made a similar observation (he can't lecture us!) rather than address the substantive issue itself.
slane
Guest
What an absolute load. Just like I said, incapable of reasoned thought. Pretty typical of your comments actually Axle.
Freo As
Guest
So... ...you've got nothing... ...just some airswings and cut and paste responses that may or not make sense depending where they've been added....
jax
Guest
"Not sure how many politicians would handle being booed by a mob of 50,000 every time they stand on the floor of parliament." That is a massive exaggeration. A few hundred to a a few thousand boo him everytime he touches the ball. The others are booing the umpire or Adam's actions during the game and then it ends. Have you ever watched any of his games from start to finish or do you just get your sound bytes from the nightly news? If you think it's 50,000 you are way off.
jax
Guest
I have nothing to be ashamed and angered about. I wasn't here and either were any of my family, Do you really think most people in Australia didn't know about the British Invasion starting with Captain Cook landing? You say he was perfect for AOTY. I get the feeling that many in this country and even Adam himself would have hoped that it would gone a little more smoothly.
SpongeBob
Guest
Boo Adam Goodes? You're a total racist!
Momentbymoment
Guest
Not sure how many politicians would handle being booed by a mob of 50,000 every time they stand on the floor of parliament. People are evicted pretty quickly when they speak out. Not sure you would appreciate it in your place of work either DaveM.