The consistent booing of Goodes while on the road has caused a public stir with calls of racism and bigotry, and Johns laid the blame on both administrators and fans alike.
“The AFL’s leadership on this issue has been nothing short of abysmal, absolutely abysmal,” Johns said on Triple M’s Grill Team.
“Make no mistake, at the heart of this issue, and the heart of the booing, is racism, pure and simple.
“I keep hearing from the AFL bosses and coaches saying ‘it’s a sport we’re better than this’, well are you?”
The issue over whether the constant booing is racially predicated has been widely debated, with many spectators’ defence being that through paying admission they have the right to do what the like.
Johns disagreed, saying money doesn’t buy you the right to be offensive.
“If you pay your money does it give you the right to yell homophobic slurs at someone? Racist, religious slurs?” He said.
“Does anyone believe at the heart of Adam Goodes’ booing, it’s not racism?
“What other player? In AFL, Rugby League, Soccer, Netball, when they touch the ball, the sound across the television is a deafening boo. Is there another player in sport?
Some would argue the likes of Manly Sea Eagles halfback, Daly Cherry-Evans, is one to be booed with every touch, but Johns says that is a result of back flipping on a signed contract and is not racially instigated.
It has also been contested that Goodes is to blame because of his actions on the field, such as allegedly diving for penalties and being awarded free kicks he otherwise shouldn’t have. Others debate they boo because they don’t like him and want him off his game.
Johns however puts the blame on spectators following each other’s actions and fuelling the power of the ‘boo’.
“It’s the sheep mentality where all of a sudden one set of fans started booing Adam Goodes then the rest of it turn up and say ‘well we pay our money we’ll boo him as well,” he said.
The problem for the AFL is that this situation is not the same as Sonny Bill Williams returning to Bulldogs territory in Roosters colours, the issue is that the racial vilification of an Aboriginal athlete is happening at every ground he travels to, no matter how many argue the booing is not racially orientated.
“What people forget, yes he’s been an unbelievable player for the Swans, but I tell you, he’s been a great ambassador for this city (and) he’s an Australian of the year.” Johns said.
'Fitzy' from Nova 96.9 voiced his opinion on the Goodes issue.
To the idiots that think booing Goodsey is not racially motivated, take a good hard look at yourself. What has he done to deserve it?
— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) July 27, 2015@FitzySA is some of it racially motivated? Absolutely. Is it all racially motivated? Absolutely not. Has it gotten out of hand? Absolutely
— Pete Steinfort (@steiny71) July 27, 2015