THE AFL is investigating “deplorable and unacceptable” anti-Semitic abuse directed at top draft prospect Harry Sheezel.
Sheezel, who is poised to be drafted in the top five at the NAB AFL Draft on Monday night, was subjected to discriminatory comments online on the weekend.
In a statement, the AFL condemned the abuse and said its integrity unit is investigating whether any of them came from club members.
“The AFL is aware of discriminatory commentary online directed towards a draft nominee,” the AFL said.
“To denounce a young man on the eve of realising his dream of being drafted to the AFL is deplorable and unacceptable, and there is no place for this type of behaviour anywhere in our community.
“This morning the AFL contacted the player’s management, and the AFL Integrity Department is investigating as to whether those who made comments are genuine social media accounts and if they are club members.”
Sheezel, who is expected to land at North Melbourne in the draft, said the commentary was disrespectful and uneducated.
“My initial reaction was I kind of found it quite disrespectful, obviously,” Sheezel told News Corp.
“I think they’re just ignorant and uneducated and they’re probably not sure about the impact that stuff can have, but to be honest, I don’t let that stuff affect me.”
Read the article by Martin Smith from AFL News.