The Adelaide Crows have issued a formal apology after a football inscribed with a vulgar message by star player Josh Rachele was handed to a nine-year-old supporter. The incident occurred following a tense victory over arch-rivals Port Adelaide on May 1.
Incident Details
Rachele, 23, wrote the phrase 'f**k the Power' on a Sherrin football before kicking it into the crowd, a customary post-match tradition in the AFL. The ball was caught by Russell Palmer, who then gave it to his granddaughter Mackenzie, a young Crows fan. Rachele also added his nickname 'Rash xx' to the ball.
The Crows had just secured a thrilling one-point win against Port Adelaide, their biggest rivals, intensifying the long-standing animosity between the two clubs.
Fan Reaction
Mackenzie's father, Justin Palmer, expressed disappointment at the message. 'Obviously my dad quickly got a pen and tried to write 'back the Power' instead of 'f*ck the Power', because she's only nine years old,' he told News Corp. Palmer noted that the Crows offered to replace the ball with another signed by club stars.
Club Response
A club spokesman stated that Rachele's words were 'clearly not appropriate' and that the matter had been discussed with him. 'Their behaviour in this instance was disappointing and regrettable, and we have apologised to the person who brought it to our attention,' the spokesman said.
Broader Context
The incident occurred days before Rachele publicly condemned online abuse after a troll told him to 'end your life please' following a win over Richmond on May 11. 'Messages like these are never welcome. Words have meaning, words have impact,' Rachele wrote on Instagram. The abusive comment was traced to a student from Melbourne's elite Brighton Grammar School, who subsequently apologised and faced disciplinary action.
