Sports presenter under fire over on-air Caitlyn Jenner rant
A TV presenter is under fire after making derogatory comments about Caitlyn Jenner.
Sam Newman, an Australian sports host who presents Channel Nine’s ‘The Footy Show’, made the comments on-air during the show on Wednesday.
The presenter was responding after his co-presenter brought up a picture of a banner that suggests Newman and Jenner look alike.
Newman said: “I know who he is… who it is? What is she? Is it a he or a she?
“Still got the bloody… it’s a transgender, or what is it?”
The comments have attracted criticism online.
St Kilda Football Club, which plays in the Australian Football League, was one of the many to disavow the comments.
CEO Matt Finnis said: “I’ve spoke to a number of people this morning that were hurt by these remarks.
“Calling out behaviour that demeans others is necessary to ensure as an industry we are contributing to stamping out issues such as homophobia and transphobia.
“We, like the Footy Show, are part of a broader football industry that has enormous reach and power to influence societal change.
“Just as we were rightly called out for on-field comments earlier in the year that were unacceptable, it’s important we are prepared to stand up for the values of our Club and our stakeholders.
“We look forward to partnering with the Swans in staging the second Pride Match on Saturday July 22 and continuing our efforts to ensure our game is welcoming to everyone.”
In a statement issued today, Newman apologised for the remark.
Absolutely seething @AFLFootyShow @Channel9 Get these vile bullies off our screen! They are never held accountable. I will NOT let this sit pic.twitter.com/gOtCvcPMTD
— Angie Greene (@Ange_Greene) June 21, 2017
He said: “I regret the comments I made about Caitlyn Jenner. What I said was not appropriate and I’m sorry to anyone offended.”
Dale Park of the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby told News.com.au: “You feel angry when … people in positions of power and authority think they can use [vulnerable communities] as a cheap stunt or cheap set-up.
“It also needs to be looked at why it was created in the first place and why Channel Nine chose to show it. Nothing was by accident.
“They knew the reaction it was going to get — it seems like it was purposeful and designed to create hurt and laughter which is unacceptable.”
Related: Caitlyn Jenner p***ed everyone off with ‘joke’ about mass shooting
