AFL: Andrew Demetriou hopeful Adam Goodes plays for Sydney despite the ... - ABC Local

Updated May 31, 2013 09:12:14

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says Adam Goodes should play for the Sydney Swans this weekend as a way of putting aside the controversy surrounding Eddie McGuire's racial slur for at least a "short time".

Goodes has not spoken publicly about McGuire's comments on Wednesday, where he suggested the two-time premiership player be involved in the promotion of the musical King Kong.

McGuire's slur came only days after Goodes was called an "ape" by a young Collingwood fan in the Swans' match against Collingwood at the MCG last Friday night.

Goodes has accepted an apology from the embattled McGuire, who will remain as Magpies president but will undertake an AFL education program related to racial vilification.

Demetriou acknowledges Goodes is "absolutely shattered" but feels he will benefit from focussing on his playing duties this Saturday against Essendon at the SCG.

I think it is important that he (Goodes) plays but he was just really, really disappointed as you would expect.

Andrew Demetriou

The Swans have named Goodes to face the Bombers but have left the decision to play up to him.

"Hopefully he can try as best as possible to put this aspect aside for a short time to play football, which I think is going to be very challenging for him tomorrow," Demetriou told 774 ABC Melbourne.

"But hopefully he does. I think it is important that he plays but he was just really, really disappointed as you would expect."

The AFL will not punish McGuire for his comments, as its racial vilification policy does not involve sanctioning an individual unless they refuse to take part in the league's education program.

"It's not part of the policy to sanction unless of course the people do not participate in the process, they don't want to subject themselves to education [and] if they haven't apologised sincerely," Demetriou said.

Demetiou backed the comments of Magpies defender Harry O'Brien, who stated a "casual" racism exists in Australia in light of McGuire's slur.

O'Brien, who has expressed his disappointment in McGuire, linked such behaviour to 'larrinkism', often embraced by Australians.

Demtriou agrees with O'Brien's view, outlining it is a much more serious problem than many choose to believe.

"It's absolutely true that it is worse than people think," he said.

"I think we heard Harry O'Brien say, and full credit to Harry he identified this issue around this casualness and this commentary, this sort of language he is subjected to on a daily basis.

"And it does exist. I've got to say, it doesn't just relate to issues around racism it's the casualness about other comments."

Topics: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, sydney-2000

First posted May 31, 2013 09:04:31