After a racist slur directed at Liam Ryan's twin toddler sons, the AFL and West Coast Eagles have strongly condemned the remarks made on a tweet depicting the two boys playing at a weekend game.
On Saturday, the 7AFL Twitter account posted a photo of Ryan's sons in the crowd at the AFLW game between West Coast and Collingwood at Mineral Resources Park.
That image showed one of the two-year-olds holding a microphone and football, while the other climbed a nearby fence.
The slur — directed at Ryan's sons and posted underneath by a Twitter user — was later deleted, prompting both the club and AFL to release statements decrying the remark.
"The West Coast Eagles again condemns in the strongest possible way a vile racist slur targeting Liam Ryan's young family," the Eagles' club statement reads.
"That these kind of posts continue to be published on social media is both abhorrent and frustrating.
"As a club, we stand with our Indigenous players, community and members in standing against this divisive and reprehensible behaviour."
The Eagles forward also responded to the racist message in a story on his personal Instagram account.
On Twitter, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Tanya Hosch — the league's executive general manager for inclusion and social policy — released a joint statement in support of Ryan.
"Liam Ryan is one of the most-talented and exciting players in our game," the AFL House post read.
"Part of his pride and strength comes from his family and the majority of us appreciate and respect him, his family and culture.
"We stand with Liam and his family and, as a code, are extremely grateful he is part of the footy family and community.
"The hurt racism causes runs deeper than the individuals involved."
