Racism in sport in Australia

Last updated

Racism in sport in Australia has a long history, with one researcher finding examples from the 19th century. Since the 1990s, there have been a number of cases of racial vilification reported, with the various codes of sport tackling the problem in a variety of ways.

Contents

Background

Sport historian Colin Tatz, in his 1995 research into Indigenous Australian athletes wrote: "they're Australians when they're winning, and Aborigines at other times", in summarising the history of racism in Australian sport. [1] In his book Obstacle race: Aborigines in sport (1995), Tatz traces racism in Australia sport back to the 1800s. [2] Since the 1990s there have been numerous racial vilification cases reported in the Australian media, partly due to the increase in Indigenous athletes participating in Australian Football League (AFL) [3] and National Rugby League (NRL) and national sports organisations introducing rules to facilitate racial vilification cases.

In an incident in April 1995, Collingwood ruckman Damian Monkhorst racially abused Essendon's Michael Long. An Australian Football League (AFL) investigation after the incident showed that at least 10 players from six clubs regularly racially abused players. [4] After this, the AFL introduced "Rule 30: A Rule to Combat Racial and Religious Vilification" on 30 June 1995 as a result of the shortcomings in Long's racial vilification case against Monkhorst. [5] The Rule stated that: "no player... shall act towards or speak to any other person in a manner, or engage in any other conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person... on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin". [6] The AFL's rule was the first racial vilification code in Australia sport. The AFL lead the way with its code and subsequently most major national sports organisations introduced their own rules. [7]

These voluntary sporting rules of conduct mirror Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and the Racial Hatred Act 1995 Section 18 C.(1) that: "It is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if:
"(a) the act is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people; and
(b) the act is done because of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person or of some or all of the people in the group. to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group of people because of their race, colour, or ethnic or national origin". [8]

In 2006, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) published the report What's the score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism, which stated: [1]

'Racism in sport is a complex problem. It can include: racism, discrimination, harassment or vilification by players directed at other players; by spectators directed at players; or racist behaviour among rival spectator groups which spill over into disruptions and violence in the stands. It also includes the actions of sporting officials and coaches, as well as media commentators.

The AFL has been seen to take leadership in the battle against racism in sport through showcasing an "Indigenous Round'" each year, with the highlight match being Dreamtime at the 'G. [9] The NRL has an "Indigenous Round" and there is an annual game with the Indigenous All Stars. [10]

The Play by the Rules website established in 2001 provides a wide range of resources in racism in sport to assist administrators, coaches, officials, players and parents. [11]

In 2012, the AHRC launched a Racism. It Stops with Me, a community awareness campaign aimed to empower Australians to counter racial prejudice and discrimination. All the major sports organisations – Australian Football League, National Rugby League, Australian Rugby Union, Football Federation Australia, Cricket Australia, Netball Australia and Tennis Australia have become part of this campaign. [7] A television advertisement was produced that included Indigenous and non-Indigenous athletes. [12]

Sports

Below are cases related to racial vilification in Australian sport. In several of the cases, there was no racial vilification proved. The list concentrates on cases at the elite level of sport relating to athletes, spectators and commentators but there is anecdotal evidence of racism in community sport. These cases consequently received wide media coverage. There appears an increase in cases related to fans either at sporting events or through social media.

Athletics

Australian rules football

Adam Goodes, indigenous Sydney Swans player Adam Goodes.jpg
Adam Goodes, indigenous Sydney Swans player

Boxing

Cricket

Indigenous fast bowler Eddie Gilbert Eddie Gilbert1.jpg
Indigenous fast bowler Eddie Gilbert

Football/Soccer

Hockey

Rugby league

Rugby union

Tennis

Sports commentators

See also

Footnotes

  1. A banana has long been used as a form of racial abuse in sport, [38] originating in Europe and England in the 1980s. [39] [40] It is intended to imply that the target is a monkey. [41]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie McGuire</span> Australian media personality and television host

Edward Joseph McGuireAM is an Australian television and radio presenter, journalist, Australian Football League commentator and former TV executive. He is also an occasional Herald Sun newspaper columnist. He hosts Channel Nine’s Millionaire Hot Seat, Wednesday night episodes of Footy Classified, and Network 10’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Goodes</span> Australian rules footballer

Adam Roy Goodes is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). Goodes holds an elite place in VFL/AFL history as a dual Brownlow Medallist, dual premiership player, four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and representative of Australia in the International Rules Series. In addition, he has held the record for the most VFL/AFL games played by an Indigenous player, surpassing Andrew McLeod's record of 340 during the 2014 AFL season before having his own record surpassed by Shaun Burgoyne during the 2019 AFL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Long (footballer)</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1969

Michael Long is a former Australian rules footballer of Aboriginal descent who became a spokesperson for Indigenous rights and against racism in sport in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Newman</span> Australian rules football player

John Noel William "Sam" Newman is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicky Winmar</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1965

Neil Elvis "Nicky" Winmar is a former Australian rules footballer, best known for his career for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL), as well as South Fremantle in the West Australian Football League. An Indigenous Australian man, he was the first Aboriginal footballer to play 200 games in the AFL, and was named in the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005. He was involved in several incidents of racial vilification during his career, and a photograph of Winmar responding to one such incident during the 1993 season has been described as one of the most memorable images in Australian sporting history.

Peter "Spida" Everitt is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club, Hawthorn Football Club and Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played for St Kilda from 1993 to 2002, Hawthorn from 2003 to 2006, and Sydney in 2007 and 2008. He finished his career having played 291 games in the AFL. Since retiring from football he has worked in the media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damian Monkhorst</span> Australian rules footballer and coach

Damian Monkhorst is a former Australian rules football player who played with the Collingwood Football Club and St Kilda Football Club.

Robert "Robbie" Muir is an Indigenous former Australian rules football player for the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He also played for West Torrens Football Club and Woodville Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Betts</span> Australian rules footballer (born 1986)

Edward Robert Betts III is a former Australian rules football player who played as a forward for Carlton and Adelaide in the Australian Football League between 2005 and 2021. As of 2024 he is an educator and mentor to Indigenous Australian youth, heading up the Eddie Betts Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilbert McAdam</span> Australian rules footballer

Gilbert McAdam is an Indigenous Australian former Australian rules football player and one of three McAdam brothers to play in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Racism in association football is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team, although there have been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans. The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media and in academic studies. There have been a range of responses by various associations, such as FIFA and UEFA, as well as by teams, and individual players and managers to address the problem.

Racism in sports has been a prevalent issue throughout the world. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) released a report in 2007 stating that racial abuse and vilification are commonplace in international sports, in places such as Australia, Europe, and America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian rules football culture</span>

Australian rules football culture is the cultural aspects surrounding the game of Australian rules football, particular to Australia and the areas where it is most popular. This article explores aspects and issues surrounding the game, as well as the players, and society. Australian Rules is a sport rich in tradition and Australian cultural references, especially surrounding the rituals of gameday for players, officials, and supporters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Wilkinson</span> Australian sportsman (born 1991)

Joel Wilkinson is an Australian sportsman who has played professional Australian rules football and American football. He played 26 games as a defender for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), where he was one of the club's underage recruits and played in the club's first season in 2011. Known as one of the best pound for pound athletes, he set numerous records at the AFL combine, including the 20-metre sprint and repeat 30-metre sprint test. Switching codes with the aim of playing in the National Football League (NFL), he signed with the Arizona Cardinals in February 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 AFL season</span> 117th season of the Australian Football League (AFL)

The 2013 AFL season was the 117th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 22 March until 28 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colour of Your Jumper</span> 2013 single by Archie Roach

"Colour of Your Jumper" is a song written by Australian singer songwriter Archie Roach in 1993, following an incident where Indigenous Australian Football League player Nicky Winmar was receiving racial abuse from spectators resulting in Winmar lifting up his jumper and, facing to the crowd, pointed to his skin. A demo of this version was later included on the 2013 compilation album Creation.

The Final Quarter is a 2019 Australian documentary, directed by Ian Darling and produced by Shark Island Productions, about the final stages of the Australian football career of Adam Goodes, during which he was the target of repeated booing by opposition fans.

<i>The Australian Dream</i> (2019 film) 0000 film

The Australian Dream, also known as Australian Dream, is a feature-length documentary film released in Australia in 2019. Featuring Australian Football League (AFL) player Adam Goodes, the film examines Australian Aboriginal identity and racism in modern Australia, with the sustained booing of Goodes by spectators as a starting point.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is a professional Australian rules footballer with the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Racism in English football is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team, but there have also been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans. The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media as well as academic studies. There have been a range of responses by various associations, such as FIFA and UEFA, as well as by teams, and individual players and managers to address the problem.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Oliver, Paul (2006). What's the score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism (PDF). Sydney: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. pp. 7–11. ISBN   0642270015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tatz, Colin (1995). Onstacle race : aboriginesw in sport. Sydney: UNSW Press. ISBN   0868403490.
  3. Evans, John; et al. (2005). "Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport: The Perils of the 'Panacea' Proposition". Cosmopolitan Civil Societies. 7 (1). Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Michael Long and Damian Monkhorst look back on AFL racism incident 20 years on". ABC News (Australia) . 29 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  5. Gardiner, Greg (1997). "Racial abuse and football : Australian Football League's Racial Vilification Rule in Review" (PDF). Sporting Traditions. 14 (1): 3–26. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  6. McNamara, Lawrence (2000). "Tackling Racial Hatred: Conciliation, Reconciliation and Football". Australian Journal of Human Rights. 6 (2): 5–31. doi:10.1080/1323238X.2000.11911041. S2CID   155749718 . Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  7. 1 2 Soutphommasane, Tim Soutphommasane. "Australian sport and racial vilification". Australian Human Rights Commission News, 24 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  8. "Racial Hatred Act 1995". Australian Government Com Law website. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  9. Klugman, Matthew; et al. (17 April 2013). "The racist abuse suffered by Nicky Winmar is rare in footy now, but AFL culture is still bedevilled by assumptions of black inferiority". The Age. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  10. Walter, Brad (6 August 2015). "From Arthur Beetson to the modern-day stars: Why the NRL's Indigenous Round is worth celebrating". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  11. "Racism in sport". Play by the Rules website. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  12. "Racism. It Stops With Me sport advert has timely launch". Australian Human Rights Commission News, 25 May 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  13. Knight, Ben (27 July 2012). "Athletics Australia can't ignore discrimination claims". Australian Broadcasting Corporation News. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  14. Lane, Sam (25 July 2012). "Steffensen had only to raise alarm, says AOC". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Gorman, Sean (2010). "Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation". Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Journal. 2 (2): 12–22.
  16. McNamara, Lawrence. "On the field and off the field : sport and racial hatred". Australian Human Rights Commission website. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  17. Gorman, Sean (1969). Brotherboys: the story of Jim and Phillip Krakouer. Allen & Unwin: Sydney. ISBN   1-74114-595-3.
  18. "'I'm black and I'm proud to be black': Nicky Winmar's gesture 25 years on". NITV. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  19. "Williams apologises for racist remark". The Canberra Times. 31 August 1995. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  20. "Pumped Damien Monkhort Stretches Undermanned Bombers to Limit".
  21. Epstein, Jackie (19 April 2009). "Robbie Ahmat on Anzac Day". Courier Mail. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  22. "Anzac Day Heroes and Villains". Sportal website. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  23. 1 2 3 Hagan, Stephen (2006). Australia's blackest sporting moments: the top 100. Darling Heights, Queensland: Ngalga Warralu Publishing. ISBN   1-921212-00-4.
  24. Gibbs, Stephen (26 March 2005). "Harrison has run his race". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  25. 1 2 3 Cooper, Adam (27 June 2011). "Sherman banned over racist abuse". The Age. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  26. Rucci, Michangelo (16 March 2012). "Adelaide recruiter Matt Rendell quits over racism row". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  27. 1 2 Windley, Matt (25 May 2013). "Adam Goodes 'gutted' after 13-year-old girl's racial slur, who called the Sydney champion today to apologise". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  28. "AFL taunts at Adam Goodes reignite racism row". BBC News. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  29. "Police cheer sports fans who dob in racist, homophobic spectators". The Age. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  30. "Majak Daw abuse: 'Everyone can do something to stop racism'". Australian Human Rights Commission News. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  31. Robertson, Katie (11 April 2014). "Nic Naitanui 'Twitter abuser' 'banned' from social media attacks, contacting AFL star". Perth Now. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  32. Clarke, Tim (1 May 2014). "Guilty plea likely for racist tweets". The West Australian. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  33. Flannagan, Martin (4 October 2014). "Why do footy crowds boo Adam Goodes?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  34. Adair, Darryl (1 August 2015). "Man up? I see a man down: booing and being Adam Goodes". The Conversation. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  35. "AFL apologises unreservedly for failures over racism faced by Adam Goodes". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  36. Baum, Greg (7 April 2019). "AFL, clubs apologise to Goodes". The Age. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  37. "Woman who threw banana at Eddie Betts has been 'demonised', says father". the Guardian. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  38. Tamer, Rayane (28 September 2022). "Banana thrown at Brazil football star in Paris match as racial abuse from crowds intensifies". SBS News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  39. Evans, Richard (22 August 2016). "Why throwing bananas is a notorious racist act". AdelaideNow . Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  40. Sweetman, Tom (30 April 2014). "Dani Alves winning racism fight with banana gesture". CNN. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  41. Boni, Víctor (28 October 2023). "Racist insults and throwing an object that looks like a banana at Vinicius from the stands: F***ing monkey, f***ing monkey". MARCA. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  42. Byrne, Conor (26 February 2020). "Racial vilification decision ends player's career". ABC News. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  43. 1 2 Ryan, Peter (17 April 2023). "AFL 2023: Racism rampant as league braces for impact of Voice to parliament referendum". The Age . Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  44. Australian Associated Press (12 April 2023). "AFL opens investigations into racist abuse of four Indigenous players". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  45. 1 2 "AFL to 'ban' broadcasters from only using 'white men' to cover footy" . Herald Sun . 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  46. Whimpress, Bernard (December 1992). "Few and far between : prejudice and discrimination among Aborigines in Australian first class cricket 1869–1988" (PDF). Journal of the Anthropological Society of South Australia. 30 (1–2): 57–71. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  47. Knox, Malcolm (20 January 2003). "Wake up Australia, racism is a problem". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  48. "Racism shames nation: Cricket Australia". The Age. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  49. "Harbhajan Singh cleared of racial abuse". The Guardian. 29 January 2008. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  50. "Nearly Dozen Fans Ejected From MCG For Making Racist Chants". 30 January 2022.
  51. Migliaccio, Val (28 July 2008). "Referee race abuse furore". The Advertiser.
  52. "Adelaide United fan who racially abused Paul Ifill banned for two years". News.com.au. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  53. Smithies, Tom (10 April 2014). "FFA's independent Disciplinary Committee dismisses Brendon Santalab's racism charge". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  54. "Nova Peris: I have been subjected to racist abuse". The Guardian. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  55. Holt, Monica (6 July 2003). "Tough times for Filipaina". Sunday Star-Times.
  56. 1 2 Walter, Brad (25 May 2009). "Players call for action on slurs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  57. Walter, Brad (27 March 2004). "Langmack, Craigie to meet over racial abuse claim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  58. Weidler, Danny (21 July 2002). "Race talk riles Preston". Sun Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  59. Pritchard, Greg (5 July 2005). "Toughest sentence: Fletcher must say sorry to teammates". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  60. "Merritt, Mundine say omission racist". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  61. "Petero Civoniceva speaks out on monkey racism slur". The Daily Telegraph. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  62. Mark, David (14 June 2010). "Officials acknowledge racism in rugby league". ABC Radio. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  63. "Greg Inglis targeted by social media slurs". Australian Human Rights Commission News, 25 May 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  64. "WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Allanah Lucas condemns racist abuse aimed at AFL's Nic Naitanui". Australian Broadcasting Corporation News. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  65. "Sam Thaiday apologises for making racist comment | League | Sporting News". www.sportingnews.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017.
  66. "NRL fans ejected from stadium after alleged racial abuse of Indigenous player Brent Naden".
  67. "Harrison apologises for racist taunt". The Telegraph. 16 March 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  68. "Harrison suspended for three matches". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 March 2005. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  69. Harman, Neil (1 September 2001). "US Open: Crowd chide 'racist' Hewitt". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  70. "Hewitt caught in race row". BBC News. 1 September 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  71. Pearce, Linda (21 May 2013). "Angry young man disappoints". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  72. Schlink, Leo (20 June 2009). "Brydan Klein embarrassed by his racial slur". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  73. "Australian Brydan Klein given six-month ban for racist abuse". Reuters India. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2015.[ dead link ]
  74. "Sam Newman refuses to apologise for televised exposure". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  75. Hogan, Jesse (19 July 2005). "Hunt apologises for racial 'stuff up'". The Age. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  76. "Dean Jones sacked after 'terrorist' remark". ESPNcricinfo, 7 August 2006. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  77. "AFL figure sorry for 'cannibal' remark – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  78. "Relationship will stay strong: Mifsud". Afl.com.au. 17 June 2010. Archived from the original on 20 June 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  79. "Eddie McGuire apologises to Adam Goodes for King Kong comment but will not resign". ABC News. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  80. "ABC rugby league caller David Morrow sorry for 'racist' remark". The Australian. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  81. Proszenko, Adrian (7 June 2014). "Warren Ryan quits ABC job over racism row". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 10 August 2015.

Further reading