The case against a Melbourne man accused of racially abusing an AFL player online is “likely” to resolve, a court has been told.
Ethan Quinn, 32, appeared in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning on a single charge of using a carriage service to harass.
Police allege Mr Quinn sent abusive messages using a fake social media account directed towards Port Adelaide midfielder Jase Burgoyne.
He has not been required to enter a plea.
It’s alleged the Glenroy man harassed the 23-year-old First Nations player on July 13 last year.
On that day, Port Adelaide delivered a comeback 26-point win over the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval.
The following day, Port Adelaide condemned the allegedly racist abuse directed at Mr Burgoyne following the game and reported the matter to the AFL integrity department.
In court, magistrate Nahrain Warda was told Mr Quinn had engaged new lawyers, who requested the case be pushed back to later this year when it will “likely resolve”.
“We recently commenced acting on behalf of him,” the lawyer said.
“There was a request to adjourn the matter in order to obtain evidence in support of (the outcome).”
Ms Warda adjourned Mr Quinn’s case and he was bailed to return to court on November 20.
In May, Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson acknowledged that a person had been charged and said the club was “absolute” in their support of Burgoyne.
“Racism has no place in our game or our society. The cowardly nature of this type of behaviour — hiding behind a screen to racially abuse someone — is reprehensible, and we will pursue every available avenue to hold those responsible to account,” he said.
“From the moment Jase came to us about this, we were absolute in our support of him and his family.
“We respect that this matter is before the courts and will not comment further on the specifics of the case.”