Football's ongoing battle with racial vilification of players has been dealt another blow with Carlton's Vaomua Laloifi subjected to abuse against Essendon at the weekend.

It is understood the Samon-born 30-year-old was the direct victim of comments made by a crowd member during the third quarter of the AFLW round nine clash.

An AFL Integrity Unit investigation has been launched after Laloifi reported the incident to the Blues, who then contacted the league's unit representative present at the ground.

The individual allegedly responsible has not been identified.

In a release on Tuesday, Carlton acknowledged the deep hurt caused to Laloifi with support offered by the club.

"We are shattered as a club that a person we deeply care for in Mua, who brings so much joy and love to so many people, would be subjected to such disgusting behaviour," Blues chief executive Brian Cook said.

"Such behaviour is not welcome at any level of society, let alone at the football. Coming to the football should be a safe and enjoyable place for all, it is not a place for such ignorant and bigoted language.

"Our focus and our energy continues to be on doing everything we possibly can to support Mua during this time,who has been put in a position that no person deserves to experience."

In May, the AFL announced lifetime bans would be handed to any identified fan found guilty of racial vilification.

The robust followed a string of racial abuse directed at players through the opening rounds of the men's 2023 competition, followed by additional occurrences later in the season.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Marlion Pickett and Charlie Cameron were among those subjected.

It was confirmed nine fans had already received the sanction at the time of the May announcement.

An AFL Players' Association report released in June found around one-in-three AFL and AFLW Indigenous and multicultural players experienced racial vilification throughout their careers, with the vast majority unsatisfied with how their matters were handled.

Essendon responded to condemn the alleged behaviour of one of their fans.

"​​Essendon Football Club sincerely apologises to Laloifi and the Carlton Football Club for this abhorrent behaviour," the Bombers said in a statement.