Sign out
Sign in / Create an account
  • NITV & SBS celebrates NAIDOC 2022
  • NITV Home
    • ON DEMAND
      • Features
        • Programs
          • Jarjums
            • Radio
              • NITV Guide
                • Get Involved
                  • Subscribe
                    NITV
                    5 Oct 2016 - 5:14pm

                    Manly Marlins release statement in wake of former player's racist Instagram posts

                    • Fabian Natoli's recent Instagram post (Instagram)Source: Instagram
                    Previous Next Show Grid
                    Previous Next Hide Grid
                    Image
                    1/
                    Video
                    Audio
                    Sydney rugby union club, the Manly Marlins are "deeply disturbed" by the social media posts of a former player in depicting an Indigenous Australian.
                    By
                    Sophie Verass

                    5 Oct 2016 - 4:02 PM  UPDATED 5 Oct 2016 - 5:14 PM
                    Tweet

                    WARNING: This post contains language and images that may offended readers

                    Just when you thought that white people stopped depicting deeply offensive portrayals people of colour back in the 1940s, yesterday Australia was faced with the very real reality of racial prejudice through cosplay.  

                    Australian rugby player, Fabian Natoli, 22, uploaded a photo, which has since been removed from his Instagram account, showing himself with a red piece of cloth around his waist, covered in red and white paint while clutching a jerry can.

                    Fabian Natoli's recent Instagram post (Instagram)
                    Source: Instagram

                    His caption read, "Every now and again you just need to culturally enrich yourself and get in touch with the dreamtime #nookstock."

                    A screenshot of the photo was shared by musician Thelma Plum, a Kamilaroi woman, to her 30,000 followers labeling him "dead shit of the day".

                    Natoli commented on Plum's post saying that he has apologised for his actions and that the post was just a joke and that there was, "No racism intended".

                    A screenshot of a comment from Fabian Natoli's Instagram account (Image: Instagram)
                    Source: Instagram

                     

                    Further research into Natoli's public account - which has since closed to private - found more racist activity, with a photo of an unsuspecting Aboriginal family with a caption that implied they are thieves. Other photos where in his feed contain captions that used racial slurs like "A**" and "N*****". Natoli is yet to comment on these other several posts. 

                    Natoli was slammed online and in particular, by many Indigenous influentials. Rapper, Briggs, creator of the successful Cleverman sci-fi series, Ryan Griffen and even acting legend, Ernie Dingo were just some of the personalities who condemned the young man and his behaviour on social media.

                    One thing we shouldn't forget with these photos are the amounts of likes they get. Racism in this country is stronger than you realise.

                    — Ryan Griffen (@RyanJGriffen) October 4, 2016

                    What did I tell you about white dudes with dreadlocks? Gronks. pic.twitter.com/rvm4dlDhJ8

                    — BRIGGS AKA BIG SIGH (@BriggsGE) October 3, 2016

                    It became widely known that Natoli played rugby union for Sydney's Manly Marlins club to which they have released this statement by the Board of Directors,

                    The club says, "The MRFC has always had strong and positive relations with our Indigenous [sic] community, both locally and around the country". They announced that they will ensure that their players of the next 2017 season are aware of their inclusive codes of conduct. 

                    Natoli signed to french club, Bordeaux Begles in 2014. The club are yet to make a statement.


                    For all the latest Indigenous news, features and video content at NITV like us on Facebook and Twitter 

                     

                    Advertisement

                    Special Features

                    POETRY & STORYTELLING

                    Salt Mother

                    "I saw an old man, Mother. When he told a story he traced the fold in a tablecloth with his forefinger just like you."
                    ENVIRONMENTAL MISMANAGEMENT

                    Once Were Waterways

                    Cultural dispersal and environmental vandalism in the Murray-Darling Basin
                    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    Masking the reality

                    Domestic violence is a crime occurring in full view, affecting thousands of people yet it provokes virtually no urgency in response. Suzanne Ingram examines why women...
                    DEATHS IN CUSTODY

                    Three missing minutes

                    Why did Wayne Fella Morrison die in custody?
                    DEMANDING JUSTICE

                    Years of inquests and lives on hold

                    Why did Shaun Coolwell die in custody?
                    next previous
                    In Social

                    In Social

                    Subscribe
                    Facebook
                    Follow
                    Twitter
                    58.8K
                    Follow
                    Instagram
                    Advertisement
                    Back to top
                    • About NITV
                      • SBS Charter
                        • History
                          • How to Watch
                            • Contact Us
                              • NITV Difference
                                • Work with NITV
                                  • Audience Technical Support
                                    • Complaints
                                      • Freedom of Information
                                        • Freeview
                                          • Help
                                            • Policies & Publications
                                              • Public Interest Disclosure
                                                • Senate Order - Entity Contracts
                                                  • Transmissions
                                                    • Using this Website
                                                      • Careers
                                                        • Copyright
                                                          • Disclaimer
                                                            • Privacy
                                                              • SBS CQ
                                                                • Terms and Conditions

                                                                  x