A violent altercation between a 24-year-old Fremantle Dockers fan and a woman has reverberated around the nation today, as a video from last night’s preliminary final loss for the Dockers was posted last night, attracting the ire of Opposition leader Bill Shorten, WA Premier Colin Barnett and AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan.
The video followed two other violent incidents at the Subiaco Oval last night, showing a 24-year-old striking a woman’s throat, and quickly becoming engulfed by the surrounding audience.
Freo fan hitting a woman. Disgraceful ferals
Posted by West Coast Eagles 3 Premierships Fremantle Dockers 0 Premierships on Friday, 25 September 2015
According to ABC News, Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett condemned the incident.
“This is abhorrent behaviour. Any kind of violence, especially towards women, is unacceptable. It cannot and should not be tolerated. It is incredibly disappointing that the act of a few spoiled it for the many who were there to enjoy a good game of football.”
The man, who will reportedly be banned from the venue, was allegedly told to sit down by the woman, as she recounted the incident to Triple M today:
“I said ‘Just take a seat, watch the rest of the game, you’re really scaring the kids’, and that’s when he struck me in the throat.”
Bill Shorten took to twitter to call out the incident, condemning the behaviour to occur during a time of national crisis in violence against women, calling the man a “yobbo” in the process.
For the out of line actions of this yobbo to come at a time we are having a national conversation about violence against women is shocking
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) September 26, 2015
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said the behaviour was intolerable.
“…It was something that cannot be condoned in AFL football. Our supporters need to feel safe. Children need to feel safe. Women need to feel safe at the football. That behaviour cannot be tolerated in any form.”
The woman who was struck told Triple M that her son was “shaking like a leaf” after the altercation, and that her step-daughter was “inconsolable” and “will never go to the football again, she tells us.”
via ABC News.
Violence against women is never acceptable. If you or someone you know is experiencing physical or sexual abuse, calls can be made 24 hours a day on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) to the National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line, or to Lifeline on 131 114.
