WESTERN Bulldogs forward Justin Sherman will spend four weeks in the VFL after admitting he racially vilified an unnamed opposition player during Saturday's clash with Gold Coast.

Sherman and the Gold Coast player, along with officials from both clubs and the AFL took part in a conciliation meeting where Sherman acknowledged and apologised for the incident.

At the meeting, Sherman agreed to serve a four-match suspension at AFL level under rules outlined in the League's racial and religious vilification code.

Sherman will also make a $5000 donation to a charity nominated by the Suns and volunteer in the Red Dust Role Models program, which provides mentoring and support in remote indigenous communities.

The Suns player, who will remain unnamed under a conciliation agreement, accepted Sherman's apology as well as the penalty handed out.

"The AFL will not accept any form of vilification in our game and will continue to act strongly and immediately in this area," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.
 
"I want to acknowledge the way in which the Gold Coast Suns and the Western Bulldogs have addressed this issue with the utmost importance, and also to acknowledge Justin Sherman for taking responsibility for his actions."

Western Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said the incident was at a disparity with the club's stance on cultural diversity.

"Saturday's incident goes against the Western Bulldogs core values and stands in absolute contrast to everything that the club stands for," Garlick said.

"The Western Bulldogs not only embrace and celebrate diversity we are proud and active champions for tolerance and social inclusion in our community.

"We will use this incident as a catalyst to ensure we continue to play a leading role in promoting and facilitating programs that teach acceptance and respect."

Gold Coast chief executive Travis Auld welcomed the resolution and said the Suns were satisfied with the outcome and the professionalism it was handled with.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs