FORMER SUNS PLAYER SUING AFL FOR RACIAL ABUSE & SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Former Gold Coast player takes action against Suns, AFL
THE AFL and Gold Coast are prepared to defend themselves in the Human Rights Commission against allegations by former Suns player Joel Wilkinson that he was the victim of years of racial abuse and sexual harassment.
Wilkinson, who is of Nigerian descent, played with the Suns from June 2011, when he was 19, until he was delisted by the club in September 2013.
Shine Lawyers, along with US lawyer Mika Hilaire, have been advising Wilkinson on his legal options after talks with the AFL failed, the law firm said.
The AFL recently admitted to reaching an out-of-court settlement with a former employee of the Fremantle football club who made allegations of misconduct against a senior staff member, reported to be coach Ross Lyon.
But in the Wilkinson case, months of legal talks with the AFL failed to deliver an outcome. Wilkinson, 26, is now preparing for a racial vilification and sexual harassment case against the AFL, clubs, coaches and players.
He wants compensation for loss of past and future wages as well as compensation for pain, suffering and humiliation.
Wilkinson endured a torrid start to his career when he was racially abused by Western Bulldogs player Justin Sherman in his debut game for the Suns in Round 14, 2011.
Sherman was suspended for four matches and ordered by the Bulldogs to pay $5000 to a charity and undertake work in the Victorian club’s multicultural programs.
The following season Wilkinson was again vilified by a Collingwood supporter during a game at the MCG.
Magpies star Dale Thomas was praised for reporting the incident immediately after the match.
The Suns issued an official complaint with the AFL.
Wilkinson was delisted by the Suns at the end of 2013 after playing 26 games over three seasons.
In 2014 Wilkinson fronted an AFL Media video called Making a Stand where he spoke out against racism in football and praised the league for the work it was doing on the issue.
However, he now believes his career was cut short because he spoke up about racism against him and because of his association with other players who were also subject to racial discrimination.
His lawyer said yesterday he had been silenced by the AFL.
The AFL would not comment last night but issued a statement.
“We are sorry that Mr Wilkinson suffered experiences of racial abuse during his time as an AFL footballer,’’ it said.
“He has previously shared his experience of racial abuse, helping educate the community via a series of social awareness videos produced with the AFL.
“We respect a person’s right to pursue claims through the legal system. We will continue to work with Joel to seek to resolve this matter.”
The Gold Coast club also said in a statement “we are treating the matter seriously and will participate in any process as appropriate and required”.
After he was delisted, Wilkinson was signed by the Northern Blues in the VFL but retired the following year to pursue a career in the NFL in the US.
He spent time on the roster at the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants but did not make a senior NFL appearance.
The case is expected to be filed by Monday and compensation will be sought for loss of past and future wages as well as pain, suffering and humiliation.