Islamophobia Observatory laud Australian Football League's refusal of insulting Islam

The Islamophobia Monitoring Observatory at Egypt's Dar al Iftaa hailed on Monday a position by the Australian Football League (AFL) refusing to insult the Islam.

The observatory described removing an anti-Muslim banner that was unfurled during Friday night's match between Richmond and Collingwood, and statements by Australian sport officials in this regard as "a step in the right direction towards confronting Islamophobia".

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said he would not tolerate the game "being used to vilify" sections of the community after McLachlan said the league would work with police and the Melbourne Cricket Club to identify those behind the sign, which said "Go Pies! Stop the mosques".

The banner was emblazoned with the crest of nationalist group the United Patriots Front.

The banner was removed by ground staff soon after it was revealed after complaints from members of the crowd, the AFL said.

McLachlan said action would be taken against those responsible for the "deeply offensive" banner.

A number of players, including West Coast's Nic Naitanui, North Melbourne's Majak Daw and former Saint Ahmed Saad, took to Twitter to condemned the banner.

"'Racism. It stops with me'. After last night's events now is an important time to keep reinforcing this message," Daw said.

"Racism is a refuge for the ignorant and it disappoints me they use the footy platform to vent their fears," Naitanui tweeted.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said those responsible wanted "to hijack what's good in life" and should be banned from the sport.

Source : MENA