Nine footy fans from around the country have been handed lifetime bans from attending AFL matches as the league adopts a more robust approach to racial vilification.
The sanctions relate to matters matches in the 2023 mens season so far.
A further five people are under investigation related to incidents at AFL games.
The measures come amid a string of incidents where players have been subjected to abuse both online and from the stands.
Previously, three-year bans were imposed on fans found guilty of committing the offence.
Last month, AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch told National Indigenous Times the shift to more stringent measures had been flagged.
She said efforts to police any abuse presents difficulties due to the relative anonymity allowed by sitting in a crowd of thousands and also on social media platforms, but that the league would continue to work with the eSafety commissioner in response to the concern.
A full-time investigator to look over examples of racism from elite to community level will be appointed within AFL staff.
Around 18,000 community coaches across the country have undertaken an online course with information about the effects of vilification and abuse.
On Saturday, Ms Hosch said the shift to increasing the punishing was an appropriate course of action.
"We have been clear, there is absolutely no place for this behaviour in our sport and in society in general and we want people to know that if they behave in this way, they are not welcome at the footy again," Ms Hosch said.
"The work will not stop in this space and having a full-time resource committed to investigating incidents is going to assist greatly in our response at all levels of the game."
Each ban issued this year has come from incidents reported by fellow fans to either police, security, stadium staff or through an online portal.
The MCG has recorded four matters, with Marvel Stadium, Adelaide Oval, UTAS Stadium and the SCG all recording a single incident.
Two people were involved in the same matter in Sydney.
Individuals can apply for a review of their ban after a minimum of five years.
More to come.
