Adelaide has rallied around star recruit Izak Rankine after he was racially abused on social media following his side’s win over Fremantle.
Coach Matthew Nicks said Rankine had been targeted in a “cowardly act” by someone who reportedly used a fake profile.
“We sat down with Izak as a group of players and staff and we just made sure Izak was OK,” Nicks said on AFL 360.
Watch every match of AFL Gather Round LIVE & ad-break free in play on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“His welfare from this point is our main concern.
“A cowardly act has taken place by someone, I can only give you my personal opinion, it’s not a person.
“This is someone who has actively targeted, (had) an intention here to hurt someone.
Rachele rolls out the celebrations | 01:02
“To have an account set up where it can’t be traced, it’s not a real person in my opinion, and it’s disgraceful.
“We’ll do whatever we can from here to support Izak.
“He’s been fantastic coming back to his home state. He’s an amazing human being.”
Nicks said Rankine had reached out to club officials after the abuse on social media, with the Crows labelling it “hurtful”, “abhorrent”, “totally unacceptable” and “disgraceful”.
“All of us have a responsibility to call out this type of reprehensible behaviour,” Adelaide club CEO Tim Silvers said.
The abuse comes just days after young Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan took a proud anti-racism stance by emulating AFL great Nicky Winmar’s iconic gesture.
Ugle-Hagan suffered racial abuse during his side’s clash with St Kilda, with his skipper Marcus Bontempelli confirming the prized draft pick took time away from the game as a result.
But Ugle-Hagan returned with a bang kicking five goals in the next-start win over Brisbane.
“I did want to make a stance. I wanted to show my presence,” a teary Ugle-Hagan told Channel 7 post-game of his celebration to left his shirt and point to his skin.
Soligo gets handsy with goal umpire | 00:27
“Obviously what happened last weekend was a pretty hard time, so just going out there and proving a point that I’m just a boy trying to play some football – same as the other Indigenous boys – and just being strong.”
In a statement, the AFL condemned the abuse aimed at Rankine, who has proven to be one of Adelaide’s best so far this season.
“The AFL in the strongest possible way condemns the hurtful and abhorrent racist remarks directed at one of the Adelaide Crows players over the weekend via social media,” the statement read.
“We stand with the club in calling out the racist comments, comments that cause significant hurt and harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Adelaide Crows Press Conference | 09:27
“The AFLIU has been contacted by the Adelaide Crows and will now provide support for those impacted and investigate the matter, working towards identifying the individual concerned.
“We strongly support all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and condemn the racial vilification of anyone in the community in football.
“The AFL continues its ongoing implementation of the ‘Peek rule’ and the work never stops against vilification, especially in the online space and the challenges surrounding the identification of antagonists.
“The AFL wants to make clear, there is no place in our game for anyone who vilifies our players.”
