‘Silenced’: Lawyer for Joel Wilkinson speaks out

Former Gold Coast Suns footballer Joel Wilkinson is preparing to sue the AFL over alleged racial vilification and sexual harassment.

Will Barsby from Shine Lawyers is taking up the case, telling Tom Elliott he’ll allege Wilkinson “was silenced” after speaking up.

“He succumbed to significant racial discrimination,” Barsby told 3AW Drive.

“It goes beyond the line of what’s acceptable behaviour.”

Wilkinson was a foundation player for the Gold Coast Suns and was delisted after playing 26 games and last played in the AFL in 2013.

The 26-year-old was born in Sydney and is of Nigerian descent.

His lawyers also claim he bore the brunt of “racially-motivated sexual harassment in the change rooms by other players on numerous occasions”, accusing the league of failing in its duty of care.

An AFL spokesman said the league would “respond through the legal process”.

Click PLAY for Tom Elliott’s full interview with Will Barsby on 3AW Drive