AFL fan sparks fiery debate after dressing in 'blackface' to cheer on her favourite team the Adelaide Crows — Published: 13:31 BST, 6 September 2026 | Updated: 16:20 BST, 6 September 2026
An Adelaide footy fan has triggered an angry debate about blackface after dressing up as her team's mascot – a crow.
Cameras captured the Adelaide Crows fan wearing a costume during the team's elimination final match against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
The woman was seen sitting with the club's cheer squad behind the goals with her face painted black, along with a hat resembling a crow's eyes and beak.
Viewers of the broadcast were unable to see large black 'wings' covering her arms.  
The jaw-dropping sight quickly caught attention online with Aussies divided over whether the costume was offensive or not. 
'I thought I was seeing things, but nope, there it is. There's a dude in blackface at the footy. In 2026. You'd expect it in 1926 perhaps. Why? Just, why?' one wrote online.
'It is blackface though. Accidental, but still blackface,' another said.
'It's 2026, and there are people who still think this is okay. Hey (Adelaide Crows), okay with one of your members in blackface?' another wrote. 
A woman was accused of wearing 'blackface' after dressing as an Adelaide Crows mascot (above) for the game on Saturday night
The woman (above) was visible on TV without her full costume
'Why are we showing the guy in blackface on the screen?' another said. 
Others argued the woman was just wearing a costume, without any racist intention behind it. 
'I know some people need to find reasons to be perpetually outraged, but this isn't blackface,' one wrote.
'I must admit I did more than a double take last night, but eventually saw it was an outfit – a pretty good one too!' another said.