Players from a local Queensland footy club have landed themselves in hot water after a Mad Monday 'blackface' team photo was posted on social media.
In the picture, players from the Highfields Eagles Rugby League Club in Toowoomba can be seen using blackface to allegedly dress up as Olympic icon Usain Bolt and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The image was posted on Facebook but quickly deleted following huge backlash.
It's understood an investigation into the matter is now underway.
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"The club is aware of the image and the allegations and is in communication with Toowoomba Rugby League to discuss the appropriate course of action," a Highfields Eagles spokesman said.
Toowoomba Rugby League chairman Joe Hannant added: "The TRL has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to inappropriate behaviour of any nature.
"We are aware of this alleged incident and have started an investigation.
"We are currently in the process of collecting all the necessary information needed so that we can best determine the appropriate course of action."
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Lizzie Adams, who is an Indigenous community leader in the local south-west Queensland area, was simply stunned by the players' behaviour.
"I really don't know what to say anymore,' Ms Adams told the Toowoomba Chronicle.
"With all that has been going on lately, when you look and think about the current environment, how does this even happen?
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"Even if that is your favourite athlete or player, why would a non-Indigenous person dress up like that?
"It's completely inappropriate and very insensitive."
It remains to be seen which course of action is taken in punishing the players-in-question.
Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League
Max Sherry