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Commissioner calls for coordinated response from Australian sporting sector to address spectator racism

Commissioner calls for coordinated response from Australian sporting sector to address spectator racism
March 11, 2023

Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has called for a coordinated, consistent way to amplify the message that racism will not be tolerated following an incident in which Latrell Mitchell of the South Sydney NRL team “the Rabbitohs” was the alleged target of racist abuse at Penrith’s BlueBet Stadium on Thursday night, 9th March.

Mitchell was allegedly shouted at by a fan as the players came from the field at half time of the match between Penrith and South Sydney with the fan now identified as a teenager who is disputing the allegation that his exchange with the South Sydney fullback was racially motivated.

Commissioner Tan said the reported racial abuse directed at NRL player Latrell Mitchell demonstrates the need for professional sports organisations, including clubs and codes, to work together to address spectator racism.

NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo has vowed to eradicate racism from the sport as he promised to sanction and educate any fan found to have abused Mitchell.

Abdo said the game would come down hard on any offenders and noted “the message to those outlying individuals is very clear – you are not welcome in our game. You’re going to be called out, and not just by players but by fans and officials. We self-regulate in our game. And eventually it becomes eradicated.

“That has to be our goal and our vision. We will do all we can to make sure we leave the game better than we found it. And that means that these types of incidents are not occurring.”

Abdo confirmed the NRL’s integrity unit were working with NSW Police on the matter, with the investigation the game’s top priority.

The Australian Human Rights Commission worked with major sports codes in 2021 to produce a set of Spectator Racism Guidelines, which outline best-practice approaches to preventing and responding to racist incidents.

Commissioner Tan advised that he was "deeply concerned by the allegations of racial abuse directed at Latrell Mitchell" adding "this incident shines a light on the systemic nature of racism. Whilst often invisible, racism is a significant scourge in our society and we must unite against it.

“This incident demonstrates that more needs to be done to eliminate racism in sport. It highlights the urgent need for professional sports organisations, including clubs and codes, to work together to implement consistent and coordinated approaches.”

The Spectator Racism Guidelines aim to ensure sporting organisations, including clubs, codes and stadiums, are equipped to deal with incidents of racism. They outline proactive measures to prevent it from occurring at sporting events.

The Commission has also produced a suite of resources to implement the Guidelines, including templates, checklists, and supporting documents to help inform organisational policies, approaches, and complaints handling processes in relation to spectator racism.

Commissioner Tan added “This incident demonstrates the need to work in a coordinated, consistent way to amplify the message that racism will not be tolerated, and there will be serious consequences for it. There is no place for racism in sport.”

“Sport holds a unique place in Australian society and helps build social connection. Unfortunately, racism in sport remains an ongoing issue, threatening our values of equality, fairness, and participation. We must use this opportunity to redouble our commitment to challenging racism – wherever it occurs.

Several major sporting organisations have already provided their formal endorsement of the Guidelines. They include: Australian Institute of Sport, Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports, Sport Australia, Professional Footballers Australia, Tennis Australia, Australian Basketballers Association, Golf Australia, Stadium Australia, NRL and AFL.

The Commission has extended an open invitation to support all clubs, codes, and stadiums in their commitment to combat racism. Organisations can engage the Commission for training, consultations, and communications materials to help underpin their message that racism will not be tolerated.

The Commission is also working on a wider National Anti-Racism Framework Project to address racism in all areas of society.

Related Articles

17th November 2021 - Human Rights Commission releases guidelines to address spectator racism in sport

30th September 2022 - Players Association reveals AFL players unhappy over racism response

21st September 2022 - AFL’s Hawthorn hit by ‘disturbing historical allegations’ of racism and bullying

9th February 2021 - Eddie McGuire resigns as Collingwood President in wake of racism report

1st February 2021 - Unreleased review reveals ‘systemic racism’ at AFL’s Collingwood FC

23rd October 2020 - Former Collingwood player Héritier Lumumba sues AFL and club over alleged racism

15th August 2019 - NRL Chief Executives re-enforce zero tolerance approach to racism and abuse of players

7th June 2019 - AFL issues ‘unreserved’ apology over racism faced by Adam Goodes

4th August 2015 - AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan says the sport has zero tolerance for racism

19th September 2014 - Diving Australia backs anti racism campaign

30th August 2014 - Racism has no place in New Zealand sport

5th July 2013 - Partnerships to help stamp out racism in Western Australian sport

27th May 2013 - Sport stars unite to stamp racism out of sport

14th October 2010 - New Zealand sport ‘in denial’ over racism

12th July 2010 - Tahu honoured for stand against racism

24th June 2010 - Fair go, racism is not funny

18th November 2009 - ICC introduces anti-racism, anti-corruption codes


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