Harry Sheezel: AFL accused of discrimination after Israeli flag furore
The AFL has been accused of discrimination after it was reportedly prepared to confiscate an Israeli flag at Saturday’s match between North Melbourne and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium.
The flag was prominently displayed throughout the match in North Melbourne’s supporter section and had been brought in support of the club’s star debutant and Jewish man Harry Sheezel.
Various reports on Wednesday, which have not been refuted by the AFL, said certain supporters objected to the presence of the Israeli flag at the game, and the league’s security lead said it should have been confiscated or the person in possession of the flag asked to leave the ground.
Later on Wednesday, however, the AFL insisted that this advice was incorrect and said it had “no issue” with the flag.
Speaking to Melbourne radio station 3AW on Wednesday, Gary, the father of the person who brought the flag to the ground, said it was “not surprising from the AFL”.
“(It’s) not surprising from the AFL – I mean, can they get any more woke and politically correct?” he said.
Josh, who took the flag to the game on Saturday, also phoned into 3AW on Wednesday. He said he “100 per cent” believed the threat of confiscation was anti-Semitic.
“I feel very very upset,” he said.
Sheezel himself told AFL 360 shortly after his dream debut, for which he was awarded the league’s Rising Star nomination, that he appreciated the support he received.
“As the game went on I kind of heard the chants and I saw a few flags and Cheezel packets around the ground,” he said.
“It just made me feel so supported and loved.”
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said the AFL’s stance “feels like discrimination and double standards”.
“Either you have a consistent enforcement policy concerning all national flags that demonstrates coherency and fairness or you don’t,” Dr Abramovich said.
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