AFL strips Barry Cable of Hall of Fame and Legend status
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A former North Melbourne star, Barry Cable, is at the epicentre of a shockwave sweeping through the Australian Football League (AFL).
Amidst alarming revelations of child sexual abuse, the AFL commission quickly convened and stripped Cable of all his honours, including his position in the Hall of Fame and the prestigious Legend status.
For those unfamiliar with Barry Cable, he was a renowned player for North Melbourne between the mid-to-late '70s and even coached the club during the '70s and '80s.
His career saw him win two VFL premierships in 1975 and 1977 over 115 games, a record that earned him Legend status in the Hall of Fame in 2012—a mantel he will no longer hold.
Accusations against Cable involved a series of young girls and events that took place over 30 years ago. The District Court of Western Australia found that Cable, now 79, sexually assaulted a young girl during his playing career. Four other women testified they had also endured abuse at the hands of the player.
The AFL Commission Chairman, Richard Goyder, in a statement, shared: 'The finding of Judge Herron was incredibly serious and distressing, and the thoughts of the AFL Commission are entirely with the victim, who bravely told her story and the other women who courageously came forward during the course of the trial.'
Following the court verdict, the AFL Commission swiftly moved to revise the charter for the Australian Football Hall of Fame to include provisions that can strip any person of their honours for misconduct that discredits the AFL, the Hall of Fame inductee, any AFL Club, or Australian football as a whole.
North Melbourne quickly followed suit, stating they had also removed Cable from their Hall of Fame. Club President Dr Sonja Hood praised the women for their bravery and resilience in sharing their stories and offered their thoughts to them and their families.
'The decision to remove Cable from the Hall of Fame was unanimous by the Board,' she said.
'The contents of Judge Herron's findings were incredibly disturbing, and we commend the women for their resilience and courage in coming forward to tell their stories. Our thoughts are with them and their families.'
The court case against Cable was a civil one, and Judge Mark Herron found the abuse had occurred, thereby awarding the woman an $818,700 settlement. Unfortunately, the financial relief is marred by Cable's recently declared bankruptcy.
In a statement, the woman protected under the pseudonym ZYX voiced her sentiments on the AFL's decision, asserting it was long overdue. She expressed her anguish over the delayed justice, having endured the damage and trauma he caused.
'Today's decision by the AFL is nearly a quarter of a century late, as far as I am concerned,' she said.
'If the WA Director of Public Prosecutions had charged Cable on the police evidence presented in 1999, he would not have enjoyed another 25 years of fame and respect. For decades I have had to deal with the damage and trauma he caused. Meanwhile, he has been honoured and promoted throughout sport and the wider community.'
'He was never a legend. He was a paedophile and a liar who bullied and abused children,' she went on to say.
If you or someone you know requires assistance or support, there are several resources available to you:
1. 1800Respect: This national counselling service operates 24/7, providing support for sexual assault and domestic and family violence. They offer confidential assistance and information and can connect you with local services. You can contact them at 1800 737 732 or visit their website at https://www.1800respect.org.au/.
2. Blue Knot Foundation: This organisation specialises in aiding adult survivors of childhood trauma, including those who have experienced sexual abuse. They offer counselling, support groups, a helpline, and educational resources. To reach them, call 1300 657 380 or visit their website at https://www.blueknot.org.au/.
3. FullStop Australia: FullStop Australia provides crisis counselling, support, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and family violence. For assistance, dial 1800 385 578 or access their website at https://fullstop.org.au/.
These resources are readily available to help individuals in need and provide various forms of assistance, ensuring you or your loved ones receive the support required.
What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know in the comments below.
Amidst alarming revelations of child sexual abuse, the AFL commission quickly convened and stripped Cable of all his honours, including his position in the Hall of Fame and the prestigious Legend status.
For those unfamiliar with Barry Cable, he was a renowned player for North Melbourne between the mid-to-late '70s and even coached the club during the '70s and '80s.
His career saw him win two VFL premierships in 1975 and 1977 over 115 games, a record that earned him Legend status in the Hall of Fame in 2012—a mantel he will no longer hold.
The AFL removed Barry Cable from the Hall of Fame and revoked his Legend status. Credit: YouTube/WOS.
Accusations against Cable involved a series of young girls and events that took place over 30 years ago. The District Court of Western Australia found that Cable, now 79, sexually assaulted a young girl during his playing career. Four other women testified they had also endured abuse at the hands of the player.
The AFL Commission Chairman, Richard Goyder, in a statement, shared: 'The finding of Judge Herron was incredibly serious and distressing, and the thoughts of the AFL Commission are entirely with the victim, who bravely told her story and the other women who courageously came forward during the course of the trial.'
Following the court verdict, the AFL Commission swiftly moved to revise the charter for the Australian Football Hall of Fame to include provisions that can strip any person of their honours for misconduct that discredits the AFL, the Hall of Fame inductee, any AFL Club, or Australian football as a whole.
North Melbourne quickly followed suit, stating they had also removed Cable from their Hall of Fame. Club President Dr Sonja Hood praised the women for their bravery and resilience in sharing their stories and offered their thoughts to them and their families.
'The decision to remove Cable from the Hall of Fame was unanimous by the Board,' she said.
'The contents of Judge Herron's findings were incredibly disturbing, and we commend the women for their resilience and courage in coming forward to tell their stories. Our thoughts are with them and their families.'
The court case against Cable was a civil one, and Judge Mark Herron found the abuse had occurred, thereby awarding the woman an $818,700 settlement. Unfortunately, the financial relief is marred by Cable's recently declared bankruptcy.
In a statement, the woman protected under the pseudonym ZYX voiced her sentiments on the AFL's decision, asserting it was long overdue. She expressed her anguish over the delayed justice, having endured the damage and trauma he caused.
'Today's decision by the AFL is nearly a quarter of a century late, as far as I am concerned,' she said.
'If the WA Director of Public Prosecutions had charged Cable on the police evidence presented in 1999, he would not have enjoyed another 25 years of fame and respect. For decades I have had to deal with the damage and trauma he caused. Meanwhile, he has been honoured and promoted throughout sport and the wider community.'
'He was never a legend. He was a paedophile and a liar who bullied and abused children,' she went on to say.
If you or someone you know requires assistance or support, there are several resources available to you:
1. 1800Respect: This national counselling service operates 24/7, providing support for sexual assault and domestic and family violence. They offer confidential assistance and information and can connect you with local services. You can contact them at 1800 737 732 or visit their website at https://www.1800respect.org.au/.
2. Blue Knot Foundation: This organisation specialises in aiding adult survivors of childhood trauma, including those who have experienced sexual abuse. They offer counselling, support groups, a helpline, and educational resources. To reach them, call 1300 657 380 or visit their website at https://www.blueknot.org.au/.
3. FullStop Australia: FullStop Australia provides crisis counselling, support, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and family violence. For assistance, dial 1800 385 578 or access their website at https://fullstop.org.au/.
These resources are readily available to help individuals in need and provide various forms of assistance, ensuring you or your loved ones receive the support required.
What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know in the comments below.
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