AFL wants booing of Goodes to stop

Senior AFL figures want the booing of Adam Goodes to stop, with several saying racism is a factor.

The issue was reignited in Sunday’s game when West Coast fans repeatedly booed the Sydney star.

Goodes’ indigenous teammate Lewis Jetta decided he had enough, performing a war dance against a section of the crowd after kicking a goal.

Jetta has confirmed the dance was in support of Goodes.

On Monday, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan refused to comment on whether the booing was racist.

But he backed Jetta’s act and said “enough was enough”.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of different people and there are a lot of different attributes to why it started, and it’s now sheep-like behaviour and people don’t know why they’re doing it,” McLachlan told 3AW.

McLachlan later said Lewis Jetta’s father had called him to discuss the matter.

“I think when you have Lewis Jetta’s father calling me – this is having an impact on people beyond Adam Goodes,” McLachlan said.

Sydney’s next away game is against Geelong on August 8 and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley wants any fans at Simonds Stadium who boo Goodes to be held to account.

“I would say there’s definitely a racist element to it,” Buckley told Fox Footy.

“I wouldn’t say it necessarily started that way, but I definitely see that.

“I reckon we are at a position in the game and in society that if you booed him the next time at Simonds Stadium in a couple of weeks, I reckon you get a clip across the ear from a few people.

“And I’d like to see that.”

Buckley later clarified his comment, saying he meant “howled down” rather than “a clip across the ear”.

Goodes’ former coach Paul Roos also strongly backed the two-time Brownlow Medallist.

“You can’t read the minds of all the people who are booing, but there has to be some sort of (racist) element,” Roos said.

“If Adam feels it’s racist, well, it is racist.

“You wouldn’t boo him if you knew him – that’s the sad part, not that you should boo anyone.”

The AFL Players Association will meet with the Swans and the league on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

“The ongoing vilification directed towards him is taking its toll,” the association said.

Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham was adamant about the motivation behind the booing.

“If you’re booing Adam Goodes I’ve got bad news for you,” Pridham told Fairfax Media.

“You’re a racist. It’s not acceptable when the only conclusion you can come to is that there is racism involved in the way the crowds are treating Adam.”

West Coast say they are dismayed by the way their fans treated Adam Goodes, declaring they will not condone racist behaviour.

Two fans were ejected on Sunday in accordance with the venue’s racial vilification complaint policy.

Goodes has been a strong advocate for racial equality throughout his glittering career.

But the 2014 Australian of the Year has copped increasing abuse from rival fans.

West Coast midfielder Matt Priddis urged fans around the country to stop booing Goodes.

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