MOTHER TELLS OF PAIN

THE WA-based mother of AFL star Eddie Betts has revealed the depth of hurt he and their family have felt after the latest in a sickening series of racist online taunts.

Cindy Sambo this week said the “jealous and ugly” trolls who post vile racist material online must continue to be called out.

The hunt is on for the most recent abuser, who posted a picture of a chimpanzee alongside a reference to Betts. Ms Sambo said each time the Carlton forward was targeted, it reignited painful memories of his late grandfather Edward Frederick Betts, who died aged 49 in the cells at South Australia’s Port Lincoln police station in 1987.

“It’s quite sad, actually, and it hurts ... it hurts Edward, it hurts me and it hurts all of his family,” Ms Sambo said. “His grandfather died in custody and every time something comes up, it affects our family very much. My first reaction is anger because it’s my son and I get very angry and disappointed that this is still happening.

“You shouldn’t have to, but when you grow up with it, you get used to it.

“We’re trying to move forward and raise our children the right way and teach them not to be racist, and that’s really hard when they face racism every day.

“It’s time to stamp it out and stop it. They are jealous and ugly people and they need to get a life.”

Ms Sambo, who was shown the post by her daughter, said her son and family were comforted by the widespread support from fellow AFL players past and present, leading athletes from other codes, such as soccer’s Sam Kerr and rugby league’s Josh Addo-Carr, and celebrities including Megan Gale and Bec Judd.

“We’ve had a lot of loss in our family, so Edward knows what’s important,” Ms Sambo said. “I think he’s doing it right calling it out every time and hopefully we’re on the right track.”

The Essendon Football Club, believing the abuser was a Bombers supporter, has asked fans of the club to help reveal his identity and promised to ban him if he was a member.

The profile used to make the post had been deactivated on Monday. Betts had earlier reposted the vile tweet on his Instagram page.