The AFL have backed up their hard-line stance on fans racially abusing players by handing out lifetime bans to nine individuals.
It comes in the wake of multiple AFL stars calling out and reporting racial abuse they had received from the crowds and through social media.
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A full-time investigator was appointed by the AFL this year as they aimed for a zero-tolerance approach to racism.
The previous punishment of a three-year ban was thrown out the window ahead of this season with the league now dishing out lifetime bans to fans.
Nine fans, all men, have been handed lifetime bans from attending games after an investigation into their alleged acts.
The Herald Sun reports all offenders were dobbed in by fellow patrons at the stadiums which were the MCG, Marvel Stadium, SCG, Adelaide Oval and UTAS Stadium.
Those handed lifetime bans can apply for an official review, but only after a minimum period of five years.
A further five fans are currently being investigated, according to the Herald Sun.
Western Bulldogs young star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was the subject of “abhorrent racist remarks” during a round two loss at Marvel Stadium.
He responded in emphatic fashion in the Bulldogs’ next game. After kicking the first goal of the match, Ugle-Hagan turned to the crowd, lifted up his jumper and pointed to his stomach — channelling Nicky Winmar’s iconic stand against racism.
Fellow indigenous AFL stars were subjected to racists remarks with Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron, Adelaide’s Izak Rankine and Fremantle duo Michael Walters and Nathan Wilson being targeted online.
Those attacks saw AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan delivering a scathing warning to all fans of the game saying “enough is enough”.
AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said tracking down fans online is a much more difficult challenge for the league.
“It can be very difficult to find these people, but on numerous occasions our integrity officers have identified perpetrators and passed information onto police,” Ms Hosch said.
“There is more work to be done, especially in the online space, and we will continue to work with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to put in place preventive strategies for online abuse, remove abusive posts and act against perpetrators.”
