The Race Relations Commissioner is urging sporting codes to crack down on racial abuse against players after Phoenix striker Paul Ifill was reportedly called a derogatory name during a match in Adelaide at the weekend.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said racial abuse was unfortunately not uncommon among players and spectators in many parts of the world, and there had been instances here as well.
"I am sorry that a Phoenix player has, apparently, experienced such abuse in Australia and I commend him for reporting it.
"It is incumbent on the sports code in every case to take the complaint seriously and to take whatever action they can to deter people from such behaviour.''
Ifill, an English-born Barbados international, took to Twitter following Sunday's game against Adelaide United to voice his frustrations over the incident, and the Phoenix yesterday confirmed they had formally approached Football Federation Australia (FFA) to ensure the matter was fully probed.
