A shocking piece of abuse towards West Coast star Liam Ryan and his child has seen the Eagles forced to take another stand against racist, online comments.
Ryan was subjected to the awful comment while hosting an Instagram Live on his personal channel.
A user commented that they wished that his child was killed in a violent manner in an abhorrent and unprovoked action.
Ryan's teammate, Brad Sheppard, was quick to call out the comment and bring it to the attention of the club and the wider community.
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"No words can describe how disgraceful this comment is," Sheppard said on his Instagram story.
"Epitome of a low life coward.
"THIS NEEDS TO STOP."
“This most recent incident directed at Liam Ryan and his family is disgraceful. We encourage everyone to be respectful at all times, and for those who need it to be educated about acceptable behaviour. There is no place for this abuse in our game or in society.” - @Marsh_Paul pic.twitter.com/Ibwo7NVBOa
— AFL Players (@AFLPlayers) November 15, 2019
West Coast were quick to issue a statement calling out the awful online comment.
"The West Coast Eagles are sickened by yet another abhorrent racist social media attack on Liam Ryan and his family," the club said.
"It is unfathomable that someone believes it is acceptable to post such a disgusting message.
"The club has reported the post and will do everything to ensure this person is held to account. #whenwillitend"
We continue to stand against racism.#WhenWillItEnd pic.twitter.com/HV8MM9Uuex
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) November 15, 2019
Other clubs were quick to share West Coast's stance, sending messages of support to Ryan using the hashtag #whenwillitend.
Unwavering in our support ❤️💛🖤#WhenWillItEnd https://t.co/31UpqhwFYN
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) November 15, 2019
We continue to stand with you. 👊#WhenWillItEnd https://t.co/njCjZQaixZ
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) November 15, 2019
We stand with you too 🖤💛❤️#WhenWillItEnd https://t.co/JFiBSfuTWw
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) November 15, 2019
The AFL is disgusted by the continued abuse of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our game. Our society expects better and our players deserve better. This needs to end. https://t.co/vsViDXp4FI
— AFL House (@AFL_House) November 15, 2019
Paul Marsh, the CEO of the AFL Player's Association was quick to send a message of support to Ryan after the 'disgraceful' comment.
“This most recent incident directed at Liam Ryan and his family is disgraceful," Marsh said.
"We encourage everyone to be respectful at all times, and for those who need it to be educated about acceptable behaviour.
"There is no place for this abuse in our game or in society."
It is the second time 23-year-old Ryan has been subjected to racist online abuse in 2019.
A number of derogatory comments towards Ryan were left on an AFL Instagram post earlier this year.
A Richmond member was suspended over the incident.
