PEARCEDALE Football Netball Club has been slapped with a suspended fine and will be made to issue an apology after an investigation into alleged racial abuse by its supporters.
The alleged racial vilification occurred during a MPFNL match between Pearcedale FNC and Karingal FNC on 20 April. After Karingal player Agape Patolo was sent off by the umpire, he was allegedly racially abused by Pearcedale supporters.
The MPFNL began its investigation into the matter on 1 May, and published its findings on 10 May. It determined that Pearcedale FNC had violated the AFL National Community Football Policy Handbook, and handed down sanctions.
Pearcedale FNC have been directed to apologise to the Karingal player and to the club itself. It has also received a suspended $10,000 fine, which will be waived at the end of the 2025 season if the club does not re-offend.
A media release published by the MPFNL last week read that “racist actions and behaviours are inexcusable”.
“Following the match between Pearcedale FNC and Karingal FNC on Saturday 20 April, 2024, the MPFNL received numerous allegations and witness statements involving racial vilification towards a Karingal FNC player by Pearcedale FNC supporters,” the media release read. “The Pearcedale FNC is to accept responsibility for the vilification which occurred and within seven days, publish an apology to the Karingal FNC player involved and the Karingal FNC for the distress caused by the comments made in respect to Karingal FNC player.
“The MPFNL strongly condemns racial vilification in our football and netball community. Acts of racism can trigger trauma and seriously impact the mental health of the individuals, families and communities involved.”
The league has directed Pearcedale FNC to hire security for its next match against Karingal, currently scheduled for 15 June.
Pearcedale FNC players and officials will also be made to complete an online module on racial discrimination in the next four weeks, and have been told to self-report to the Victorian Liquor Licensing Commission in the event of “unacceptable crowd behaviour associated with the excessive use of alcohol”, the MPFNL statement read.
After the allegations were first made, Pearcedale FNC published an unapologetic statement on its Facebook page which slammed supporters of the player allegedly targeted by the racial abuse. The post, which remains on the club’s Facebook page as of 10 May, read that the player’s supporters were “attempting to excuse/deflect from his violent actions by painting our club in a negative light.”
“Our committee urges all of our members and supporters not to engage with the instigators of this attempted intimidation and to continue to stand by our wonderful sponsors, players and club. We trust that justice will prevail through the appropriate channels,” the club’s statement read (“Investigation into on-field incident” The Times 30/3/24). Pearcedale FNC was contacted for comment.
First published in the Frankston Times – 14th May 2024