Collingwood Football Club condemns in the strongest possible terms the racial vilification of Travis Varcoe and abuse of Mason Cox on social media during last night’s match against Essendon.

The club has established that the author of an offensive social media post is not a member of Collingwood.

Offensive posts or comments in the past have resulted in the suspension or cancelation of memberships and an insistence on education and mediation before  memberships can be reinstated.

The club asks for anyone involved in last night’s online conversation or who has details regarding the post or conversation to contact the club.

If possible the matter will be handed to authorities.

“The ignorance and prejudice in the comments is simply appalling,” Collingwood chief executive, Mark Anderson, said.

“Today, the football community willingly accepts that we have an obligation to put a stop to abuse of our people. I do not understand how such comments continue to be made.

“We stand with Travis and Mason and against vilification of this or any other variety and will do whatever we can to call these individuals to account.”