Australia: Sports commentator to keep job after calling player a ‘big poofter’
A sports commentator will be allowed to stay on the air, after he referred to a player as a “big poofter”.
Channel Seven’s Australian Football League commentator Brian Taylor made the remark during the run-up to a Sydney v Carlton game yesterday, when footage was played of Geelong player Harry Taylor celebrating his 150th match.
Interrupting the pre-match presenters, he said: “I don’t know whether you guys down there can hear me or not… I am up here getting ready for the game and I’ve just seen that crap from Harry — he’s a big poofter.
“You can’t be doing the old royal wave, Harry, next thing you’ll have your mum and dad out there.”
AFL host Hamish McLachlan said that Taylor will remain on the air despite calls for him to be sacked.
He said: “We recover from these problems through education and awareness.
“[Taylor] will be working with Seven and undergoing some education and counselling in this area. We apologise, he apologises, and it was a very bad moment last night on TV.”
Managing director of Seven Melbourne, Lewis Martin, said today: “Comments such as those made last night are unacceptable and should not and will not be tolerated.
“Brian has been censured, and will be supported through counselling and education to ensure this mistake will never happen again.”
His comments came the same day as Australian Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe came out as gay.
