GOLD Coast coach Rodney Eade says any potential racial abuse hurled at Suns midfielder Aaron Hall during the club’s loss to Hawthorn must be investigated.

Broadcast audio picked up a member of the crowd throwing abuse in the direction of Hall after he was given a free kick in the third quarter of Sunday’s game.

There was conjecture the abuse, picked up on Fox Footy’s coverage, could have been aimed at a field umpire.

“Can you even see that far, you monkey,” the fan was heard to yell.

Witnesses said no one from the crowd remonstrated with the abusive fan.

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Eade said he was unaware of the state of any racial vilification investigation in the ­direct moments after the game but said if race-based remarks were potentially made they needed to be investigated.

“If that’s the case hopefully the officials here, the AFL and the people here at Launceston oval, get the people involved because it’s not acceptable,” Eade said.

media_camera There is conjecture whether the abuse was directed at Aaron Hall (right) or an umpire. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL on Sunday night said it could not confirm the state of the investigation.

Fox Footy producer Jack Cannon tweeted on Sunday night that he believed the insult was directed at the umpire, not Hall.

Re: "monkey" audio at Hawks v Suns - punter was yelling at umpire; "Can you even see that far you monkey?" As non-controlling ump paid free. — Jack Cannon (@Jack_Cannon) June 26, 2016

So whilst still an unsavoury comment, the direction of the abuse was not, in my opinion, directed at Aaron Hall. Just unfortunate timing. — Jack Cannon (@Jack_Cannon) June 26, 2016

Hall was making his return to the senior side after being dumped for the club’s Round 12 game against Richmond before last weekend’s bye.

The Tasmanian product was kept quiet early and finished with 20 disposals, four inside 50m and one clearance.

Hawthorn edged a competitive Suns side 12.14 (86) to 8.12 (60) in front of a crowd of 10,121 in Launceston.