Suspended Adelaide Crows star Taylor Walker has delivered an emotional public apology over his racist comment targeting another footballer during an SANFL game.
Key points:
- Taylor Walker was last week banned for six matches after an investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit
- The Crows today released a video of him sitting alongside the player he targeted
- In the video, Walker apologises for the “pain, hurt and disappointment I’ve caused”
The Crows have released a video of Walker sitting alongside North Adelaide’s Robbie Young, whom he racially targeted on July 17.
Walker was last week suspended by the AFL for six games and fined $20,000 over the incident, which sent shockwaves through the club and has led to further self-examination within the AFL about the prevalence of racial bigotry.
Walker issued a statement last week, but today the Crows released a video of him sitting alongside Young.
“Robbie expressed his feelings to me to sit next to me today,” Walker said, fighting back tears.
“Thank you for accepting my apology. You’ve shown huge courage and support for me.”
The former Crows captain then expressed his remorse to Young and the broader Indigenous community.
“I want to apologise to you and your family, to the Adelaide official and his family, to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities for the pain, hurt and disappointment I’ve caused,” he said.
“I’m going to take some time away from the football club to let people heal. I’m now going to educate myself which is going to take some time, because I want to be better for it.
“There’s no place for racism in society.”
The video ends with Walker and Young shaking hands, with Walker uttering: “Thanks mate”.
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
