Basketball: Breakers probe racial abuse claims

The New Zealand Breakers are seeking evidence that a supporter racially abused Perth Wildcats player Nathan Jawai during their NBL game in Auckland last night.

Breakers chief executive Richard Clarke says the club is taking seriously allegations made by Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson in the wake of the home team's 99-78 win at the North Shore Events Centre.

Gleeson says Jawai was abused when he walked off the court after picking up a foul, prompting the Perth side to call for extra security around their bench.

"When Nate came off there was some racial (comments), and we just wanted some extra security when he was on the bench," Gleeson told reporters.

"We'll take that up with the league afterwards. It wasn't pretty."

Clarke said in a statement on Thursday he was surprised and disappointed to learn of Gleeson's comments.

The Breakers were yet to receive an official complaint from either the Wildcats or the NBL, but have already begun an investigation.

Clarke has confirmed there were comments directed at Australian international Jawai but witnesses contacted in the season member's section have said none of them were racist.

"We have had conversations with members who have seats in that area and their comments have been consistent in that while there was an exchange between fans and Jawai they are clear in their assertions that this exchange did not contain any racial abuse."

Clarke says the game's referees coach Ken Coulson was also sitting behind the visitors' bench and heard nothing untoward.

Clarke says the investigation is complicated by the fact the Breakers haven't received any details from Gleeson beyond his comments at the post-game press conference.

Gleeson suggested the crowd wanted to incite a reaction from Jawai, who is of Torres Strait Islands descent.

"We don't come here to get racially abused and we don't want to see that in sport."

Clarke hopes to hear from the Perth team liaison on Thursday and will also seek out the match manager.

The incident threatens to affect a reputation for fair play which Clarke says the Breakers players and supporters have built up.

"As a club we don't condone or tolerate abuse in any form, and we would be both surprised and disappointed if our fans have behaved in this manner.

"If the type of behaviour that has alleged to have happened last night actually took place, this is not acceptable."

Add a Comment