Source : ABC NEWS
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has been investigated over an alleged hostile message sent to a Western Bulldogs player, but will not be punished by the AFL.
He was fined $1,000 for striking Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale in an off-the-ball clash during the Power’s 90-point loss at Ballarat on Saturday.
The Power has confirmed Rioli later sent a private message to a Bulldogs player.
The Bulldogs did not make an official statement but confirmed the club passed on the information about the message to the AFL and Port Adelaide.
Neither club, nor the AFL commented on the content of the message.
Port Adelaide said the matter was “resolved privately after Willie contacted Bailey Dale”.
“Port Adelaide considers the matter resolved and will not be making further comment,”
the statement said.
The AFL also released a brief statement, confirming it had spoken to both clubs, and issuing a reminder about “respectful” communication.
“The AFL has today spoken to both Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs and while confirming it will take no further action to that undertaken by the clubs and players, it has reminded both clubs to ensure any communications remain respectful,” the statement said.
Port Adelaide says the matter has been “resolved privately”. (ABC News)
The incident comes after Rioli last month posted on Instagram about his “hatred” of Hawthorn, which he said was based on how the club had treated members of his family.
He was granted leave from training after receiving racist abuse following the post, which was quickly deleted.
In a statement issued at the time, Port Adelaide said Rioli and hs family continued to “carry deep-seated pain and sadness from past family experiences”, but that social media was “not the appropriate forum for Willie to share his emotions”.
At the time, the AFL Players’ Association chief executive officer Paul Marsh condemned the “racist and homophobic comments” sent to Rioli, labelling them “beyond unacceptable”.
Rioli is clear to play in the Showdown against the Crows on Saturday.
Power captain Connor Rozee said his team has a history of responding well after a bad loss and hoped to bounce back on the weekend.
“We’ve shown in the past that when we have a bad loss we’re able to respond and I think that’s because we stay tight as a group and listen to what Kenny says,” he said.
