West Coast slam 'keyboard cowards' over racist comments directed at Eagles forward Liam Ryan

James Pavey

West Coast slam 'keyboard cowards' over racist comments directed at Eagles forward Liam Ryan image

There has been widespread condemnation of racist abuse directed at Eagles forward Liam Ryan.

During the reigning premiers' shock defeat to Brisbane on Saturday, Ryan was reported for striking.

The 7AFL Instagram account asked followers if Ryan - one of the stars of last year's grand final - should cop a ban.

On Monday night, Ryan escaped suspension for his jumper punch to Brisbane's Darcy Gardiner, but copped a $1500 fine.

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However, some commenters took the opportunity to direct racial comments at the Indigenous player, some labelling him as a "monkey".

West Coast teammate Nic Naitanui defended Ryan, taking a screenshot of the since-deleted comments and posting them to Twitter.


In a club statement, West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said he was "shocked and upset by the continued abuse of indigenous Australians".

"The comments posted by some people on social media are absolutely abhorrent," Nisbett said.

"The continued use of the term monkey is disgusting and these keyboard cowards must be held to account.

"To have this occurring so consistently, albeit by a minority of people, is distressing and completely unacceptable.

"Our society expects better, our players expect better and our club expects better. This must stop and we must make a stand.

"We have to be respectful of all cultures and accept people for who they are. No one should be subjected to this hateful and vitriolic garbage."

Liam Ryan

 

WA Premier Mark McGowan and AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh also took aim at online abuse, which has reared its ugly head already this year when Eddie Betts and Tayla Harris were targeted by trolls on social media.

"It was obviously disgusting... people should have learnt you cannot do this, and you shouldn't do it" McGowan said.

"It's going on too much. Anonymous keyboard warriors are out there demeaning and attacking, using vile and racist and sexist commentary about other people.

"Social media operators need to have greater responsibility, they need to be made to have greater responsibility in relation to these sort of things because it is not acceptable."

"More hatred directed at one of our players. This ongoing issue needs to be addressed at the source," Marsh wrote on Twitter.

"Change is needed so that these gutless people can't hide behind anonymity."

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo