Ballan coach Mark Williams has been rocked by a verbal altercation that took place in the Central Highlands Football League on Saturday.
It is believed the former Hawthorn and Essendon player was the victim of a racial slur during the round eight senior clash against Bungaree, which has now been handed over to the league for resolution.
AFL Victoria Country’s Vilification and Discrimination Policy has been called into play after the Blues lodged a complaint with the CHFL.
The league will attempt a preliminary resolution process to resolve the matter, but if unsuccessful, will then progress to conciliation. Following this, an official investigation could also take place before a potential tribunal hearing.
The league on Sunday confirmed it had received a formal complaint and would now follow due process, but would not comment further.
Part of the AFL Victoria Country policy states that interested parties refrain from making public comment while the process takes place.
Williams joined Ballan at the start of 2012 before taking over the coaching reins late last season, when he signed on at the helm for 2014 and 2015, with the option of a third year.
Bungaree won Saturday’s game at home by 23 points to remain the only unbeaten team in the competition.
The weekend’s incident follows two alleged racial slurs during the AFL’s Indigenous Round.
Respected Ballarat Aboriginal elder Ted Lovett was allegedly racially abused at Darley in the Ballarat Football League late last month, the same day a 17-year-old Carngham-Linton footballer also claimed he was vilified by a Dunnstown supporter in the Central Highlands competition.
The mediation process between Darley and Lovett continues.
Due to confidentiality rules, the outcome of that mediation will not be made public by the BFL.
