‘Abhorrent’: Clubs condemn racial abuse

Carlton says targeted comments were made directly at Laloifi, who is the first Samoan-born player to play in the AFLW, during the third quarter of the round 9 clash, which the Bombers won by 32 points.

The Blues released a statement on Tuesday confirming the abuse and saying Laloifi had been “deeply hurt” by the incident.

Carlton chief executive Brian Cook expressed his anger at the comments and said the club would work with the AFL Integrity Unit to investigate further.

“We are shattered as a club that a person we deeply care for in Mua, who brings so much joy and love to so many people, would be subjected to such disgusting behaviour,” Cook said.

“Such behaviour is not welcome at any level of society, let alone at the football. Coming to the football should be a safe and enjoyable place for all, it is not a place for such ignorant and bigoted language.

“Our focus and our energy continues to be on doing everything we possibly can to support Mua during this time who has been put in a position that no person deserves to experience.”

Essendon also released a statement strongly condemning the supporter, who would receive “the appropriate punishments” once identified.

“Vilification, racial or otherwise, has absolutely no place in our society. We must continue to use our platform as a Club to call out this behaviour and make a stand against this hateful and hurtful act,” the Bombers’ statement said.

“The matter has been referred to the AFL’s Integrity Unit. The club will now work to identify the individual with the view to educate and, where possible, apply the appropriate punishments.

“Essendon Football Club sincerely apologises to Laloifi and the Carlton Football Club for this abhorrent behaviour.”

The AFL abolished an existing three-year ban for racial vilification by crowd members and introduced a lifetime ban at the start of 2023.

Nine fans, all men, were handed lifetime bans from attending games in May after investigations were conducted into alleged incidents.

Indigenous Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was targeted with racist remarks during the Dogs’ round 2 game this season.

Online racial abuse has continued to be a scourge on the AFL, including a string of incidents where Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron, Adelaide’s Izak Rankine and Fremantle pair Michael Walters and Nathan Wilson were targeted with messages.

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Carlton’s Vaomua Laloifi racially vilified at Windy Hill