Adam Goodes booing a shameful moment in AFL history, says Gerard Whateley
Updated 58 minutes agoMon 27 Jul 2015, 3:27pm
ABC Grandstand commentator Gerard Whateley has labelled the booing of Adam Goodes as shameful, saying he fears Goodes could be "booed into retirement".
Goodes was booed constantly throughout the Sydney Swans' 52-point AFL loss to the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.
If you are not booing for racist grounds, stop, because it never used to be part of your day at the footy. Stop, and let the racists boo and then call them out, because this is disgustuing.
Gerard Whateley
The boos prompted team-mate Lewis Jetta to recreate Goodes' spear-throwing wardance celebration after scoring a goal, in a show of support for the former Brownlow Medallist and Australian of the Year.
Jetta said his celebration was in response to the abuse Goodes cops at stadiums around the country.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan on Monday called for the "sheep-like" booing of Goodes to stop.
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Whately is talking through his hat ! Plenty of indigenous players in the AFL play every week and none of them get booed . Goodes is a grub and a whinger , a professional free kick stager . An abuser of a young female fan and a pathetic excuse of an "Australian of the Year". A stirrer of racial undertones .
Whateley says the AFL's leadership has been abysmal on the issue, saying it is about time the league addresses the racist undertones in the booing.
"Make no mistake, this is one of the most shameful episodes in the game's history, the way Goodes is being booed at the moment," Whateley said on 774 ABC Melbourne.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek. Video: Lewis Jetta courts controversy with spear throw celebration (ABC News)
"At its heart here there is a racist element. Not everyone booing is a racist but you are covering up the racist element.
"If you are not booing for racist grounds, stop, because it never used to be part of your day at the footy.
"Stop, and let the racists boo and then call them out, because this is disgustuing.
"We are driving Adam Goodes to the end of his career. He'll probably finish at the end of this season and he is going to be booed into retirement."
