SYDNEY and its young star Elijah Taylor have issued statements after the suspended Swan was a victim of a racist attack from a social media troll.
Taylor has been banned for the season after sneaking his partner into the Swans' quarantine area in Western Australia.
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It has been reported that Taylor's 18yo girlfriend (who AFL.com.au has chosen not to name) scaled two fences and crossed a golf course to enter the area.
After finding her way to his room, the woman said she was caught by "a coach", and the incident was escalated.
The club has been fined $50,000 (with $25,000 suspended), and Taylor will also be fined by WA police. It is not expected he will face further criminal charges.
AFL STATEMENT The comments posted are abhorrent and inexcusable
Taylor's partner told Channel Seven it was a "really big mistake" and she was "sorry for everything".
"I just walked through, went to his room. That's how easy it was," she said.
After Taylor was targeted by a troll, Sydney issued a statement:
"Elijah made a bad decision and he now has to deal with the consequences. He should not be the subject of abuse. There is NO place for racism. This week is about celebrating the indigenous players in our game. It shouldn’t be about this. Enough is enough. It must stop.
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Taylor said: "Honestly, I'm extremely sorry for being selfish with my actions. I know what I've done not only affected me and the players, but many others that all love the game.
"I understand that a lot of people are angry, but racism doesn't fix anything."
Taylor was taken by the Swans with pick 36 at the 2019 NAB AFL Draft and has impressed at AFL level this year with his smooth movement and class.
Sydney coach John Longmire said: "We're just mindful the balance between obviously making him accountable and him understanding the gravity of the situation versus the support.
"We're trying to tread that line very carefully."
