A man claiming to be the grandfather of a young footy fan who is alleged to have thrown an object at Port Adelaide star Aliir Aliir on Sunday has admitted he is ‘distraught’ over the young boy’s actions.
The gentleman, who called himself Jack, had phoned into 3AW following Port Adelaide’s eight-point victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, stating that the young fan had been taken to a police station and that he was worried for the boy’s future.
The incident took place after the 30-year-old defender had rushed back to his goal line to deny Port Adelaide a major score during the final quarter of the match.
His momentum carried him towards the fence where fans were sitting. One spectator, wearing a red and white shirt, hat and scarf, appeared to throw a cardboard clapper in his direction.
The object did not appear to hit the Port defender, but Aliir turned back before chastising the fan for the unsavoury act.
Tensions quickly settled, with Aliir walking back onto the field after sharing a few words with the fan.
Port Adelaide star Aliir Aliir was involved in a tense confrontation with a footy fan at the SCG after the fan was seen throwing a cardboard clipper at the defender
The footy star was seen exchanging a few heated words with the spectator after the incident
The Swans later confirmed that an individual had been removed from the SCG and was being interviewed by New South Wales police and members of the club’s security staff.
Speaking to 3AW, the man who claimed to be his grandfather said: ‘I’m very disappointed, I’m distraught.
‘Whatever he has done, I don’t condone, but what I’m getting really upset about is the garbage that’s being put on social media.
The man’s voice began to break on the phone as he became increasingly emotional during the phone call.
‘He did a stupid thing. His mother is distraught, his grandmother is distraught and I’m really upset.
‘He’s in a police cell with police, and they’re discussing it with him. My daughter, she doesn’t know what to do. It’s not fair. He’s a stupid kid who doesn’t realise what he’s done.’ and the ramifications to his family are frightening, I’m just worried about his future.’
It is understood that New South Wales and the AFL are investigating the matter.
A Swans spokesperson re-affirmed the club’s zero-tolerance policy on abuse after the match.
‘A fan was removed from the stadium in the final quarter of Sunday’s match against Port Adelaide at the SCG, after throwing an object at Port Adelaide player Aliir Aliir,’ the club said.
‘The fan was removed from the venue and has been interviewed by police and SCG staff.
Tensions quickly settled but it is undertood that the footy fan was later removed by staff
It is understood that New South Wales Police are said to be investigating the unsavoury moment
‘The club is working to ascertain if the fan is a member.
‘The club has reached out to Aliir, and we will continue to educate fans that any form of abusive behaviour is not welcome.
‘The Sydney Swans would like to reiterate our zero-tolerance stance on all forms of abuse.’
Aliir, meanwhile, was seen speaking to Sydney CEO Tom Harley after the game, with the Swans chief consoling the defender and apologising on behalf of the club.
Aliir was drafted to the Swans as a No 44 pick in the 2013 National Draft.
He would make his debut for the footy club in 2016, spending seven years at the Sydney outfit before joining up with Port in 2021.
Ken Hinkley said after the match that Aliir was OK but urged fans to show respect to footy players.
Port Adelaide went on to weather a late Sydney surge to claim an eight-point win in their preliminary final rematch at the SCG
Port boss Ken Hinkley admitted he was ‘disappointed’ by the actions of the fan and urged spectators to show respect when at the footy
‘OK with everything so we’ll work through it,’ the Port coach said.
‘Let’s respect our footballers. That’s the most important thing,’ Hinkley said.
‘We’ve had a little bit of this stuff go on over the journey, the last few weeks particularly. Let them do what they do.
‘You come to watch them. Just admire them for what they are, I would have thought, and enjoy the game. If you can’t do that, please don’t come.’
Swans boss Dean Cox echoed Hinkley’s comments.
‘That’s one thing that I stand firm on and so does the club,’ the Swans coach said on the matter.
‘Come and enjoy the footy, support, cheer, but leave it at that.’
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