Advertisement

Specialist security team to monitor Goodes abuse

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says fans will risk being viewed as racist if they boo Sydney veteran Adam Goodes in Saturday’s qualifying final at Domain Stadium.

Goodes will return to Perth this week for the first time since being booed by West Coast supporters in his side’s 52-point loss on July 26.

And a specialist security team will be in the stands to monitor anti-social behaviour.

The 35-year-old Goodes believed some of the booing in June was racially motivated and the issue came to a head late in the match when Lewis Jetta performed an Indigenous war dance towards Eagles fans to protest the abuse Goodes was copping.

Adam Goodes booed again in match at Etihad Stadium
Why every AFL player should stand with Goodes
Shane Warne defends fans who boo Adam Goodes
How Goodes can stop the boos: Grant Thomas

Goodes chose to miss Sydney’s next game while he dealt with the emotional fallout but has since returned to help the Swans lock up fourth spot.

Lyon doesn’t expect Dockers fans to boo Goodes but if they do, he says, they will be judged harshly.

“There is no place for any form of racism or prejudice against anyone in the AFL,” Lyon said.

“I think it’s clearly inappropriate to (boo Goodes) in the context of the past. So if you choose to do that, you are putting yourself at risk (as to) how you’re viewed.”

A specialist security team to monitor antisocial behaviour will be employed for the fixture, and they will also be in place for West Coast’s qualifying final against Hawthorn on Friday night.

Fans found to be involved in racial vilification will be ejected from Domain Stadium.

They could also be banned from attending future matches.

Although Lyon wants the Goodes situation handled sensitively, he is urging his players to make the Swans squad as a whole feel uncomfortable.

“We won’t be rolling out the red carpet for anyone,” Lyon said.

“The ‘Bloods’ will be the opposition.

“They’re playing the ‘Purple’ and we’re all going for a great spectacle of great AFL football.”

Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.