Adelaide Crows star Taylor Walker has been banned for six games by the AFL after the league found he made a racist comment at an SANFL game. Walker will miss the remaining three games of this season, and the first three of 2022. He has apologised for the remark, saying he is “embarrassed, ashamed and remorseful”. The comment was reported by one of the Crows’ officials.
“There is no excuse or justification for the words I said,” Walker said in a statement released by the AFL.
“They are unacceptable and I take full accountability for that. I am deeply ashamed.
“Today’s process has led to a deeper understanding of the hurt that I have caused, and I am embarrassed, ashamed and remorseful.”
The comment was made in reference to North Adelaide player Robbie Young — who is Aboriginal and used to play for AFL side St Kilda — during a Crows reserves match in the SANFL on July 17.
The comment was reported by an Adelaide Crows official, sparking an investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit.
“Taylor Walker of the Adelaide Crows, who was not playing in the match, made a racist comment regarding North Adelaide player, Robbie Young, to an Adelaide Crows teammate who was playing,” the AFL said in its statement. An Adelaide Crows official overheard the comment and reported the incident to the club who reported it to the AFL.” The AFL said that Walker had apologised to Young and the official who reported the comment, and that both had accepted the apology.
“I did not intend to cause harm, but I know and understand that I have caused deep hurt to the official who reported the matter and to Robbie Young, to both of their families and to the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. I apologise to all of them and to the Adelaide and North Adelaide football clubs,” Walker said.
Other punitive measures against Walker include undertaking an education program involving volunteering “in appropriate community programs”. He will also privately apologise to staff and officials
Club official praised for speaking out
AFL inclusion and social policy executive general manager Tanya Hosch was involved in the formal conciliation process under the AFL’s Peek Rule, which relates to vilification and discrimination. Ms Hosch said she accepted Walker’s remorse, but that “racist actions and behaviours are inexcusable”.
“I have no doubt Mr Walker is remorseful, understands that his comments can trigger trauma and seriously impact the mental health of the individuals, families and communities involved and he has accepted his sanctions,” she said.
“I would like to acknowledge everyone involved in today’s conciliation process, especially the Adelaide official and Mr Young for calling out the behaviour and/or taking a stand against racism by their involvement in this process.”
Walker was absent from the Crows’ morning training yesterday ahead of Saturday’s AFL Showdown against Port Adelaide. Today he said he wanted to be an “active participant in addressing racism in our game and the wider community”. “This starts by educating myself so I can influence others and make a positive difference moving forward,” Walker said. “I know I need to back up my apology with action, and this is my commitment.”
AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh said he had also spoken to Walker, and that the AFLPA was “extremely disappointed at the language used” by the Crows veteran. “Tex’s language was damaging and divisive, and there is no excuse for it. We are very clear on this — racism is abhorrent and there is no room for it in our game,” Marsh said. “We would like to acknowledge Robbie Young, and we have reached out to him to offer our support. We would also like to commend the Adelaide Crows official for his courage in tackling this issue.”
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