APL Managing Director, Danny Townsend, has today released the following statement after Adelaide United forward, Kusini Yengi, received racial abuse on social media following Saturday evening’s 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory:
“Our game in this country has always been about diversity and it remains one of our greatest strengths. We call upon all football fans across the country to condemn this type of racial abuse and eradicate it from any association with our game.
As part of that football community, and in my position as the MD of the newly formed APL, I condemn the actions of these few in the strongest possible terms. We are working with our clubs, the PFA and the local police to try and identify these individuals and bring them to account.
Coincidently, today marks the beginning of Harmony Week, a week when we take a moment to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of football and to tell the stories of amazing people who make the game what it is. This is just one week of the year, but our work to stamp out all forms of discrimination will be year-round.”
