Arabic version: جوش راشيل يدعو إلى اللطف بعد رسالة مسيئة على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي
According to ABC News,
Adelaide Crows player Josh Rachele has encouraged footy fans to ‘choose kindness’ after he shared an abusive message he received on social media. The message was sent directly to Rachele on Instagram by a person telling him to ‘end your life please.’ In response, Rachele posted a screenshot of the message saying ‘hope you’re happy with yourself pal.’ In a follow-up statement, Rachele said “mental health matters in every space, including sport.”
The incident occurred shortly after the Crows’ victory over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday, where Rachele received a free kick in the game’s final minutes. ABC News understands the club is looking into the incident and will make a report with the relevant cyber authority.
Ron Issko, president of the AFL Fans Association, expressed his shock at the abusive message, calling it ‘horrendous.’ He stated that any form of abuse or vilification is unacceptable within the football community. Issko affirmed that the association would reach out to Rachele and the Crows to offer their full support.
This incident adds to the growing discourse on mental health in sports, with calls for initiatives like a men’s mental health round in the AFL. Players are increasingly advocating for mental health awareness, recognizing the pressures they face on and off the field. Rachele’s call for kindness serves as a reminder of the impact words can have and the importance of supporting one another in the sporting community.
