At a suburban footy match in Melbourne, a spectator lets fly with a crude homophobic slur at a player. Everyone within earshot is discomfited. After a moment, a clubmate of the player, who could fairly be described as usually one of the silent majority, looked across and says in a low voice: “That’s enough.”

The sniper shuts up.

Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson boots the ball forward on Friday night.Credit: Getty

This was not last weekend, or recently, but more than five years ago. The campaign to root out bigotry in sport is long-standing.

Most people, players and watchers, should have a solid grasp of what is not acceptable and why. Even in suburban and junior football, where education in these matters is scant, they know.

Taylor Walker.Credit: Getty Images

Attitudes have changed as society has changed.

Professional sportspeople know better than most. They’re given regular instruction in what constitutes vilification and why it is wrong. It’s codified.

The incidence of on-field racism, for instance, appears to have receded. In recent times, only one has come to light, Taylor Walker in 2021.

The worst racial abuse comes over the fence, through social media channels or at random; ask Eddie Betts.

QOSHE - ‘That’s enough’: AFL must send Finlayson a simple message with slur penalty - Greg Baum
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‘That’s enough’: AFL must send Finlayson a simple message with slur penalty

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08.04.2024

At a suburban footy match in Melbourne, a spectator lets fly with a crude homophobic slur at a player. Everyone within earshot is discomfited. After a moment, a clubmate of the player, who could fairly be described as usually one of the silent majority, looked across and says in a low voice: “That’s........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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