An “appallingly offensive” meme that likened Indigenous ex-footballer Adam Goodes to a gorilla posted on social media has been taken down after the AFL demanded Facebook remove it.
The image showed Harambe, a lowland silverback gorilla, that was shot and killed by zoo staff last weekend after a boy fell into its enclosure.
The ABC has chosen not to publish the image.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league contacted the social media giant because it was “appallingly offensive”.
“The AFL immediately acted as soon as we were made aware of it, and we’re extremely pleased it’s been removed,” Mr Keane said.
“But [it] shouldn’t have been posted in the first place.”
Facebook has been contacted for comment.
He said the issue caused “great pain” to Goodes, who took time off during his final season last year afterbeing the focus of constant booing from football crowds.
The behaviour of the crowd sparked a national debate about racism.
In 2013 he was racially abused when a young girl called him an “ape” from the stands during a match.
Only days later Eddie McGuire apologised after an on-air gaffe suggesting Goodes be used to promote the musical King Kong.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan apologised to the Sydney great for the league’s slow response to last year’s racism controversy.
The duel Brownlow medallist and games record holder at the Sydney Swans retired last year after 372 matches.
Top Comments
When I was about 8 years a group of kids once called me a Skippy and a couple jumped around me like kangaroos. Where's my Australian of the Year Award and immunity from ever being wrong no matter what I do?
It happened to you once (and it was wrong) but when you're 'of colour' it happens frequently. Racism is never appropriate.
What have you done to prevent racism against others following your experience? If you think you deserve an Australian of the Year Award you must have done something.
Yes, typical comment from a white privileged skip.
From chink/ nip/ etc.
Send in an application next year.
More racism from racists. Ho-hum.