AFL not safe for Indigenous players Retiring star Eddie Betts

Betts said Goodes' withdrawal from the game in 2015 was a catalyst for him becoming more vocal about the racist comments he and other players experienced.

"Watching what Adam went through and what he received wasn't nice to see," he said.

"He gave me that voice, strength and courage to stand up and try to stamp out racism in Australia, to call it out when I see it."

Goodes retired after what many believed was racially motivated booing that stemmed from him taking exception to being called an 'ape' by a young spectator two years earlier.

The AFL formally apologised for not doing more to defend him, but it took them four years to do so.

The sport, similar to Ireland's Gaelic football, first began proactively tackling issues including racism in the 1990s.

That included adopting a ground-breaking policy that made it an offence for players or officials to insult someone due to their race, religion, ethnicity, colour, nationality or background.

But underlying problems persist.

Just this month, Adelaide Crows player Taylor Walker was banned for six games and fined US$14,500 (AUD $20,000) for a racist slur against an Aboriginal player.

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