Majak Dawcelebrates a goal with Sam Wright and Lindsay Thomas during an AFL match between the Bulldogs and the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
FAMILY and friends of North Melbourne footballer Majak Daw have called for the men accused of racially abusing him to be named and shamed.
The AFL yesterday confirmed it was investigating two men evicted from Etihad Stadium for alleged racist comments during Saturday night's match against the Western Bulldogs and would consider revoking their league or club memberships.
The AFL Players Association condemned repeated racism directed at Daw and called for spectators to be banned from future AFL matches if found guilty.
Anthony Daw, Majak's brother, said last night his family were alarmed by repeated abuse directed at the AFL's first Sudan-born player and would support punishment of fans found guilty of racial vilification.
"We're pretty sick of it," Anthony Daw said.
"They should learn their lesson, I reckon. He played a good game, so I don't know why they are going after him."
A close friend of Daw said the rising star was disappointed the scandal was taking the shine off his career.
"He's sick of hearing it and he just wants to get on with his footy," the friend said.
"He hates it."
It is the third time an official complaint has been made against fans vilifying Daw since 2011. AFLPA chief Matt Finnis labelled it "shameful and offensive".
"Where people who have engaged in racist behaviour can be identified and prosecuted, then we would expect that significant penalties be imposed, including the withdrawal of the right to attend matches," Mr Finnis said.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league had been given details of two people evicted from the North Melbourne-Western Bulldogs clash.
"The AFL will now examine our membership records and also club records to see if either person is an AFL member or a club member," Mr Keane said.
"If either person is an AFL/club member, they will be contacted for an explanation of what occurred and they may have their memberships cancelled."
Multicultural Sudanese Centre Victoria manager Elhadi Abass said the community was disappointed Daw was a target.
"He's a leader in our community, we encourage our children to be like Majak and the kids want to be just like him," Mr Abass said. "So the racial abuse is very disappointing, very sad and it upsets the whole community."
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