The Melbourne Demons have condemned a Twitter user who racially vilified recruit Harley Bennell over the weekend.
An offensive comment was posted to a video shared on the AFL’s Twitter account following the Demons’ win over Gold Coast on Saturday night.
The tweet was later deleted by the user, who Melbourne believe isn’t a member of the Demons.
“There is just no place for this racist behaviour in our game and in society,” Demons chairman Glen Bartlett said.
“It’s incredibly frustrating that comments of this nature continue to be made, and it’s important that we, as a football community, don’t shy away from what’s right.
“We all have a responsibility to call this behaviour out and hold these individuals to account. It is simply not okay to remain silent.
“I am already in discussions and intend to follow up key federal and Victorian government ministers to explore what can be done to strengthen laws to make people accountable and stamp out this abhorrent behaviour.
“The club stands with Harley, and strongly against the vilification of our people. We will continue to drive the importance of listening, learning and educating.”
Bennell’s teammate Neville Jetta was also on the receiving end of a racist troll last month.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Yep agree but it isn’t happening and it won’t as bad news sells.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
And they are doing it? Nope has the problem been around for sometime? The easiest solution for the AFL and the players is to not use a platform that exposes them to racism.
Mark
Roar Rookie
How do you restrict Social Media from Sport only Cracka? More stringent controls over information required to create and have an online identity and more stringent guidelines placed on the companies who own and run these platforms compelling them to provide the identities of offenders.
Mark
Roar Rookie
I proposed a solution in my comment Cracka. Did you actually read it all before you responded?
Cracka
Roar Rookie
The AFL, players and supporters can't complain if they are providing the platform for these dirtbags to say what they say, stop using social media and it will stop.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
It does have its place but not in sports.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
People of all colours are racist and won't stop using platforms to say what they want, so what solution do you have? Yep none. Stop using a social media platforms.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
So you cannot stop it, so you believe just continue allowing people to offend, just need a solution, I know stop using it.
Boo
Guest
Every time some nobody bags a player because of there race an accompanying post should be put up inviting people to show there support for the player mentioned to make these bigots feel alone.Good on Harley Bennell for holding onto his desire to play AFL my only issue with him is the day at the Sun's he kicked six to beat the mighty Cat's.
Mark
Roar Rookie
I think Social Media has it's place. After all, isn't The Roar also a form of Social Media? And I think an example of what well policed Social Media can look like. The big Social Media Platforms need to better regulated and forced to police their own platforms more stringently.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
No, why should the clubs and league stop using social media? Maybe users should, you know, stop being racist. One is easy, one is essentially giving in to the consistent cycle of abuse.
Mark
Roar Rookie
You don't use a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. Your approach would penalise the many to stamp out a few morons. It's the Social Media Companies that control these platform that need to be made more accountable. When this sort of thing occurs they need to provide information as to the identity of the offender.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
It's too easy for people to be idiots on social media. They say things they'd never say to a persons face. Social media will destroy our society.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
‘Melbourne Demons have condemned a Twitter user who racially vilified recruit Harley Bennell over the weekend’ If the AFL and the players really want to stop this then STOP using social media and guess what no platform to publish these comments on, its simple and easy way to stop it.