Anti-muslim AFL banner enrages fans

Anti-Muslim banner at Collingwood-Richmond AFL match, unfurled by members of the United Patriots Front. Photo / Twitter.

An Anti-Muslim banner has been unfurled at the Collingwood and Richmond match below the MCG scoreboard, disgusting footy fans from both sides.

The banner was held up below the scoreboard saying "Go Pies! Stop the Mosques".

It also included two logos for UPF, the United Patriots Fund, who have organised anti-Islam rallies across the state that have often turned violent.

The banner was unfurled during the second quarter and photographed by supporters nearby.

Collingwood media manager Stephen Rielly said those involved didn't represent the club.
"Whoever they are, they don't speak for Collingwood," Mr Rielly said.

"We understand they were evicted from the stadium and their details were not taken down."

A picture of the banner was posted on social media during the match and received total condemnation.

Very disappointed to see something like this being displayed at the #AFLPiesTigers game tonight! #ignorance pic.twitter.com/PMV6hJo2hO

— Ahmed Saad (@ahmedsaad23) April 1, 2016

The AFL issued a statement after the Magpies thrilling win at the MCG.

"The AFL condemns the behaviour in the strongest terms and such actions have no place in society and not in our game.

"Match day security removed the banner when they became aware of it and evicted the patrons responsible."

Former AFL players Ahmed Saad and Tony Armstrong joined the condemnation of the banner as did AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour.

Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman Shane Brown confirmed the Collingwood supporters involved were evicted.

"As soon as the banner was brought to the attention of our security team, it was taken down and the patrons involved were removed from the stadium."

"We don't have anything further to add at this stage."

Footy fans on social media were outraged at the racist banner being displayed at the stadium, in front of a crowd of 72,671.

"Disgusting that this banner was displayed at #AFLPiesTigers. Are @CollingwoodFC going to come out and condemn it?" Twitter user Benjamin Solah, who tweeted the photo, said.

"That banner at the Collingwood game is disgusting," Adrian Griffin tweeted.

-News.com.au