Swans indigenous star Adam Goodes says 13-year-old girl’s ape taunt left him shattered, heartbroken

Sydney Swans superstar Adam Goodes has revealed he received an apology from the young girl accused of racial abusing him.

A shattered Adam Goodes says his superb performance in Sydney Swans’ win over Collingwood on Friday night “means nothing” after being racially taunted by the 13-year-old girl in the crowd.

A female fan wearing a Magpies jumper was escorted from the venue late in the match which the reigning premiers won with relative ease.

The Swans veteran spoke to the media on Saturday morning and opened up on how hurtful the comments were to him as the incident threatens to overshadow the AFL’s indigenous round.

A short time later, Goodes tweeted that he had spoken to the girl and urged that she be given support, not attacked on social media.

“Just received a phone call from a young girl apologizing (sic) for her actions. Let’s support her please,” Goodes tweeted.

Goodes, with security staff around him, had stood only metres away and pointed to her following an apparent verbal clash with the fan.

“To come to the boundary line and hear a 13 year-old girl call me an ape is absolutely shattering,” an emotional Goodes said.

“How can that happen? This week is a celebration of our people and our culture.

“To play such a pivotal role in such a huge game sort of means nothing to me now.”

Goodes later revealed the girl had called him to apologise. He tweeted: “Just received a phone call from a young girl apologizing for her actions. Lets support her please #racismitstopswithme #IndigenousRound.”

Earlier, Goodes refused to blame the girl for her actions, insisting she needed support and education to realise her behaviour wasn’t appropriate.

“She’s 13, she’s still so innocent. I don’t put blame on her,” Goodes said.

“It’s what she hears and what environment she has grown up in. I was asked if I wanted to press charges, but that’s not what I want.

“She has no idea how hurtful her comments are. It cut me deep. I couldn’t even stay on the ground to celebrate the victory.

“The person that needs the most support is the little girl. If she wants to call me and apologise, I’ll take that call and explain how much it hurt me.”

Goodes said he is proud of his heritage and was determined to take a stand.

“It’s unacceptable and it hurts. Not just me but my family. It’s embarrassing it still happens. There needs to be more education.”

“I hope me taking a stand helps.

“People need to realise there’s no place for racism in sport and society.

“If they want to do that, they can piss off.”