Adelaide star forward Taylor Walker was a no show at Crows training on Thursday, after allegations emerged this week that he directed a racial slur towards an Aboriginal player from an opposing side in a reserves game last month.
It is alleged that Walker, who was a spectator during a SANFL game between the Adelaide Crows and North Adelaide, attended a quarter-time huddle and directed a racial slur towards Narungga and Ngarrindjeri man, Robbie Young who played for the opposing side.
Since the allegations emerged this week, the AFL's Integrity Unit has started an investigation into the alleged incident, which occurred at Prospect Oval on July 17.
It is understood that the comment was reported by a member of the Crows.
On Thursday, Crows assistant coach, Natan Van Berlo addressed the media with a prepared statement.
“I understand there’s really high level of interest in the football club at the moment but I hope you can understand and appreciate that I’m not in a position to make any comment this morning due to the fact it is a highly sensitive and highly confidential matter at the time being,” he said.
“We had a discussion as a group but we’re not going to go into details at this stage."
The Crows have indicated that they would not stand him down.
Former St Kilda player and Narungga/Ngarrindjeri man Robbie Young. Source: AAP
It's understood Walker’s absence from training has left a number of his teammates feeling very disappointed, as Walker was set to address the allegations in front of the club.
The North Adelaide club said they were not informed that a comment had been made by Walker until they were contacted by the AFL on Tuesday.
It is understood that their playing group and supporters were not within earshot at the time of the alleged comment.
Young was involved in a scuffle with Crows midfielder Matt Crouch late in the first quarter.
North Adelaide maintains it did not know anything about the matter until Tuesday and it was not a Roosters player or official who made the complaint.
