The AFL is investigating racist messages sent from vile fans to Indigenous stars Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne.

The pair’s two respective clubs both alerted the league to the awful messages, according to 7NEWS Melbourne’s Xander McGuire.

“The AFL integrity unit is investigating vile racist texts sent to Indigenous stars Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne via Instagram direct message,” McGuire said.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

“St Kilda and Port Adelaide referred the messages to directly AFL House this evening, after both teams played on Sunday afternoon.”

The AFL released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming the investigation with league CEO Andrew Dillon slamming the “unacceptable” comments.

“To hide behind a fake account is cowardly and I want the people that have created these online accounts and racially abused our players to know that our game does not want you. Real fans don’t racially abuse players.” he said.

“We have been clear that there is absolutely no place for this behaviour in our sport and in society. Racism is never acceptable and these incidents demonstrate there is so much more work to be done.

“Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne are talented footballers and remarkable young men. We acknowledge their courage to call out the hurtful and completely unacceptable remarks and offer our support to both players, their families and our broader Indigenous playing group.”

Wanganeen-Milera and Burgoyne are not the first Indigenous players to have faced racism in the AFL this year, with Willie Rioli having copped it during the saga that saw him suspended for making a serious threat to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale.

Wanganeen-Milera, the most in-demand prospect ahead of this year’s off-season, is weighing up whether to go home to South Australia or stay in Melbourne.

The 22-year-old, who is close friends with Burgoyne and fellow Port star Jason Horne-Francis, has emerged as one of the competition’s best and most damaging ball-users in the back half.

It’s why he’s attracting offers in excess of $1m per season, particularly from Burgoyne’s club Port Adelaide, who are very keen to lure him home.

As recently as late last month, the Saints were confident that would hang on to their man.

Burgoyne himself has also started to establish himself as a bona-fide AFL player.

He’s played almost every game since Round 2 last year and has averaged 20 touches per game in 16 matches this year.