The Adelaide Crows are “disappointed and disgusted” after footage emerged of a Port Adelaide supporter throwing what appears to be a banana at indigenous Crows star Eddie Betts during Saturday’s AFL Showdown.
The video, which surfaced on social media on Saturday night, shows a woman in a Port Adelaide scarf waving her middle finger at Betts before throwing the object in his direction as he celebrated a goal in the forward pocket at Adelaide Oval.
Star Crows forward Taylor Walker was also disgusted and said the fan in the video “shouldn’t ever be allowed back into enjoy the football”, while Port Adelaide was “appalled by the vision and will not tolerate this type of anti-social behaviour at its games”.
“The Adelaide Football Club is both disappointed and disgusted at the behaviour of some members of the crowd during tonight’s Showdown at Adelaide Oval,” the Crows said in a statement.
“Of particular concern, an object was thrown onto the field of play and in the direction of one of our players.”
Adelaide says, in consultation with Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval and the AFL, it has “expressed in the strongest possible terms that we expect significant action to be taken against any person found guilty of anti-social behaviour”.
The video circulated on social media and was shared on Facebook by Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal Programs Manager, Paul Vandenbergh.
“Disgusting … I will be reporting you!!,” Vandenbergh posted.
Vandenbergh’s post was later removed from his profile.
There have been a number of high-profile incidents across Europe where bananas were thrown at black soccer players as a form of racial abuse.
Betts booted five goals in the Showdown, his 250th AFL game, to help the Crows to a 15-point win.
Port Adelaide were contacted for comment.
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