A 27-year-old woman who threw a banana at indigenous Crows player Eddie Betts has been fined $543 by police over the incident.
South Australia Police today confirmed the woman had been issued with the fine for disorderly behaviour at a licensed premises.
The woman, from Adelaide's southern suburbs, has also been banned from the Adelaide Oval for six months.
Footage posted on social media on Saturday night showed the woman waving her middle finger at Betts before tossing the banana in his direction as he celebrated his fifth goal during the Crows vs Port Adelaide Showdown.
“I apologise to Eddie Betts and the Adelaide Football Club as it was never my intention to cause harm or distress to your players or supporters,” the statement read.
“Going to a game of football is meant to be a fun and enjoyable event for all and I apologise for ruining it for so many.
“I regret my momentary lapse of judgement and I did not attend the game with a predetermined attitude of bringing the game into disrepute, or to offend anyone.”
The woman said she “accepts the sanctions” handed down to her by the Power, which include an indefinite ban from attending future games.
“Unfortunately, the emotions of the game got the better of me and I hope you all accept my apology,” she said.
Betts said he was initially unaware of the incident at the time, but was disappointed by the woman's actions.
“It’s sad that racism still exists in our game and hopefully people can learn from it and all we have to do is educate,’’ the star forward told the Crows’ website.
The woman was also defended by her father yesterday, who said she didn’t deserve the onslaught of criticism.
“I am shocked, I am purely shocked because it’s not her,” Don Pelosi said.
“No matter who it is, when a player performs like they do in a close match and go up to the opposition crowd, you’re going to a get a reaction.”
He said the incident had been blown out of proportion, blaming the media for its portrayal.
“The shame of it is that it has become a racist thing. The media are painting a terrible picture,” he said.
“She’s done wrong yes, but don’t put her on a cross and put three nails into it. She’s a good human who doesn’t deserve this.”
Port Adelaide have said they believe the incident was “racially motivated”.
“We are very pleased that the behaviour was caught out by so many in our community,” the club said in a statement.
Power president David Koch said the incident had cut the club “to the core”.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan also weighed in, calling the woman’s act “unambiguously racist”.
“I don’t think anyone had any doubts about it. I certainly didn’t,” he said at an AFL press conference.
The Power have more indigenous players on their list than any other AFL side, with a rich history of indigenous representation.
The club confirmed its seven indigenous players, led by Chad Wingard, would be a part of a counselling process offered to the woman following the incident.
