Elham Asaad Buaras
Calls are growing for a woman who allegedly hurled vile Islamophobic abuse at Australian Rules (AFL) only Muslim footballer to be banned from the Adelaide Oval Stadium.
The Carlton Cheer Squad’s alleged Carlton defender Adam Saad, currently the AFL’s only Muslim player, was subjected to shouts of “terrorist” by an Adelaide FC fan on July 30.
The Carlton footballer said he was aware of the alleged remark, which is being investigated by the AFL Commission. “It’s disappointing, but at the end of the day, I know who I am as a person and we as a Muslim community. As long as we can educate the individual and move the situation forward. Those things shouldn’t be said.”
The Carlton Cheer Squad said that they were frustrated with the response by police and security at the oval, tagging the AFL, Carlton and Adelaide FCs, the Adelaide Oval Stadium and South Australia Police. “Cops, security, and ground staff ‘talk to her,’ say ‘it’s been dealt with,’ and tell us to leave it at that, and she isn’t even kicked off the ground; [it’s] completely disgraceful.”
The AFL issued a statement saying that it is investigating alleged comments made by a spectator at Adelaide Oval last night. “Football is a place of inclusion and belonging, and there is no place for racist behaviour in our game,” the statement said.
“Nobody in our game, or the community, deserves to be discriminated against and vilified due to their faith or race, and there is simply no excuse for it.”
The Adelaide Football Club has also confirmed it is investigating. “We do not tolerate, and strongly condemn, any form of discriminatory behaviour and it has no place in football or society,” the statement said. “Adelaide Oval should be an inclusive and family-friendly environment.”
A spokesperson for South Australia Police said officers and Adelaide Oval security attended the area and obtained the details of the people allegedly involved in the incident.
They said the matter had been referred to the AFL and Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority for investigation.
South Australia’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, said it was hard for him to comment on the matter because he did not know all of the circumstances. “Those sorts of comments aren’t welcome at the footy, but also, it’s true that, when they occur, they represent an absolute minority,” he said.
“The majority of people who go to the footy can get fired up, but they do it appropriately and respectfully, cognisant of the fact that it’s a family-friendly environment.”
