Junior footy match cancelled over racial abuse
A junior football league match was called off at the weekend after a sidelines clash among spectators sparked by a player being racially abused.
The Bendigo Junior Football League is likely to launch an investigation into the spectator brawl at the under 15's match on Saturday.
Umpires were forced to call off the North Bendigo and Kangaroo flat during the third quarter when a group of spectators from both clubs clashed on the boundary line, the Bendigo Advertiser reports.
It is understood the brawl started when a Kangaroo Flat supporter made a racial jibe towards a North Bendigo player.
A boundary umpire took offence and clashed with the Kangaroo Flat supporter, sparking a brawl among spectators from both clubs, the newspaper reported.
The two main umpires called the game off as it appeared to be out of hand, Bendigo Umpires Association public relations officer and board member Patrick van Dyk said.
He said he was shocked to hear of the incident, which would be investigated by the Bendigo Junior Football League.
"They're under 15 boys, they should just be playing footy.
"It upsets me greatly. It's not on, it's just not called for."
It comes after Western Bulldogs forward Justin Sherman was banned for four weeks and fined $5000 for racially abusing a Gold Coast player.
BFL senior umpire John Norton, who was officiating the game, confirmed to the newspaper that there had been an incident at Saturday's game, and said there is likely to be an investigation.
He said the game was called off because umpires feared for the safety of players.
North Bendigo Junior Football Club president Jie Thompson has called for an investigation into the incident. The Roos say they have already opened an internal investigation.
It is understood the BFL's executive committee members will meet tonight to discuss the matter.
The incident at North Bendigo was the second involving racial abuse at a regional Victorian Aussie Rules game on the weekend.
Two spectators, understood to be a couple of young kids, abused a Belmont Lions player during a match at Inverleigh near Geelong on Saturday.
Geelong and District Football League secretary Alan Moore said he understood the spectators were not known to the Inverleigh Football Club, which was very disappointed.
"In my experience we haven't had anything like this happen at that club before," Mr Moore said.
The Belmont Lions Sports Club has a long-standing partnership with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.
An incident involving abuse levelled at former Belmont coach Haami Williams was resolved through racial vilification mediation in 2008.
Mr Moore said a number of indigenous players were involved with clubs in the league.
"This is the first time since the Haami Williams incident that this has raised its head."
There has been no official report of the incident to the league, Mr Moore said, adding that the clubs involved were investigating.
"If either of the clubs wish to take it any further it will be dealt with as per the Victorian Country Football League racial vilification practices."
