Latrell Mitchell condemns Buddy Franklin’s racism, Sydney Swans, booing, Collingwood – AFL News
NRL star Latrell Mitchell has backed Lance Franklin after the Sydney Swans gun became involved in the recent AFL boo saga.
Franklin was showered with boos during the eighth round against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
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The ugly scenes left viewers in bad taste while the football world denounced the actions of the fans.
Collingwood issued an official apology to Franklin after club star Nathan Buckley denounced the “ignorance and bigotry” of Magpie fans.
Now Mitchell and fellow NRL player Nicho Hynes have come forward to take on those who booed a legend of the game.
“I get it a lot, so I know how it feels,” Mitchell told him The Daily Telegraph.
Hynes added: “I don’t get it. What if Buddy Franklin was your brother or son? He’s human, remember? How would you feel if you saw and heard that?”
Mitchell said he had no doubt that the boos directed at Franklin were racially motivated.
“He (Franklin) is obviously a proud Indigenous man,” Mitchell said.
“It’s obviously definitely a purposeful thing.
“One thing is for sure, if he (Franklin) needs to get in touch with him, or maybe I will get in touch with him, we stand by each other.
“I stand by everyone who goes through this.”
Read the full interview with Mitchell and Hynes here Here
Sharks superstar Hynes said he couldn’t believe fans felt they were allowed to berate athletes, a sentiment shared by many in AFL circles throughout the week.
“What’s in it for them to boo him (Franklin)?” Hynes said.
“We play for the fans. We do everything, sometimes even more, for the fans. So I don’t understand why fans would come to a game purely for entertainment. Why do you think it’s okay to boo a player and be racist towards a player?
“You have to think about whether that was your son, your daughter, or a family member who’s out there doing something good and fun to entertain people.”
Mitchell was the victim of racial slurs while walking up the players’ tunnel during a match against Penrith at BlueBet Stadium in Round 2.
Earlier this week, following a police and NRL investigation, the governing body confirmed it had suspended the teenager, subject to an apology and further education.
Mitchell told news.com.au he was not concerned with the process of the fan’s return to football After initially revealing that he had no intention of dating the young fan as part of his educational process.
“I don’t need to focus on that,” Mitchell said.
“For him… he could go through the logs and anything the NRL needs… to be honest I don’t really want to comment on that, it’s done and I’m happy with the outcome.”
“I just hope it sends a strong message now and continues to have a knock-on effect. If anyone wants to say what they think they are saying, it should be spoken up and (they should) be held accountable for their actions.”
“I’m just sending the message out there to everyone who can hear it, who experiences it, who sees it in public, in audiences, at games to make sure you get an official and I will support you.” No problem.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/its-definitely-targeted-nrl-star-latrell-mitchell-blasts-afl-fans-booing-buddy-franklin/news-story/37e1e1c84e133a863c7d6baa632f2e96 Latrell Mitchell condemns Buddy Franklin’s racism, Sydney Swans, booing, Collingwood – AFL News
