The slur against Sydney’s Adam Goodes on Friday night has prompted the Victorian government to move to establish school programs to educate children on racism.
Goodes was widely praised for the dignity he displayed after being called an ape during Friday night’s AFL game against Collingwood at the MCG.
He was abused by a 13-year-old girl who later called the dual Brownlow medallist to apologise for her behaviour.
Earlier, while admitting he had never been more hurt, Goodes reached out to the girl to contact him so he could explain his feelings.
Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said on Saturday he was “absolutely disgusted” by the incident.
“There is simply no place in Victoria, and particularly on our football fields, for abuse based on racism, culture, gender,” Dr Napthine said.
“That is totally unacceptable, and in this case involving a 13-year-old girl is very, very disappointing.
“And I am going to be contacting the AFL and asking if the AFL would like to work with the Victorian education department to see if we can institute improved programs across our schools to make sure all young Victorians understand that this sort of abuse based on racism, culture, is totally and utterly unacceptable in modern society.”
Goodes’ actions, including refusing to blame the girl and calling for abuse on social media against her to stop, have drawn widespread admiration from players, clubs and community leaders.
After he spoke out on Saturday morning, Goodes tweeted that he had spoken to the girl and urged that she be given support, not attacked on social media.
“Just received a phone call from a young girl apologizing (sic) for her actions. Let’s support her please,” Goodes tweeted.
Goodes said he was devastated by the abuse which came during the first match of the AFL’s highly publicised Indigenous round.
“I’m pretty gutted to be honest,” Goodes said.
“The win, the first of its kind in 13 years, to win by 47 points against Collingwood and (for me) to play such a pivotal role just sort of means nothing.
“To come to the boundary line and to hear a 13-year-old girl call me an ape it was shattering.”
However Goodes said that the blame did not lie with the young girl.
“She’s 13-years-old, still so innocent, I don’t put any blame on her,” he said.
“Unfortunately it’s what she hears and the environment that she’s grown up in has made her think that it’s OK to call people names.
“Unfortunately it cut me deep and affected me so much that I couldn’t even be on the ground last night to celebrate a victory and to celebrate the Indigenous round.”
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has offered the girl and her parents support and education from the league.
“The AFL stands ready to provide help, education and appropriate counselling to her and we invite her parents to make contact with us to allow for this to happen in a confidential setting,” he said.
Demetriou said the AFL, while disappointed, would not seek any sanctions, while Goodes himself told police he did not want to press any charges against the girl.
But he said Goodes’ reaction to the incident was admirable.
“Discrimination and vilification in any form has no place in our game and Adam Goodes has again demonstrated his leadership qualities by standing up to it,” said Demetriou.
“He is a wonderful ambassador for our game and an inspiring leader for the indigenous community.
“At the same time, the AFL community immediately rallied behind him in an extraordinary but not surprising display of support and solidarity.”