Football pundit denies saying ‘hey gay boys’ on Fox show AFL 360
Mark Robinson has denied saying “gay boys” on AFL 360 (Screengrab/Twitter)
A football commentator has denied he said “hey gay boys” on the Australian Fox show AFL 360.
Mark Robinson, who co-hosts the programme, allegedly used the pejorative in reference to Carlton players on Thursday evening.
Viewers were quick to criticise Robinson, a sports journalist and chief football writer for the Herald Sun, for his language on social media.
One person asked: “Is ‘hey gay boys let’s go’ an acceptable thing to say on 360?”
Another added: “I’m usually the last person to pile on over stuff especially language but Mark Robinson’s ‘hey gay boys’ quip tonight is utterly shameful and reprehensible language.”
“Seriously @Robbo_heraldsun? You’re better than that sort of c**p,” one commented.
Robinson has denied using the word “gay” and has said he used the word “go” instead.
Is “hey gay boys let’s go” an acceptable thing to say on 360? pic.twitter.com/ZKT3rWTIq8
— Lucy Watkin (@lucywato_) May 9, 2019
“I didn’t say that … It was go boys,” he tweeted.
Several fans have said “hey go boys, lets go” is unlikely as it doesn’t make sense.
One social media users added: “That doesn’t even make sense ‘hey go boys lets go’? I think you gotta own up to this one.”
This week, a major sponsor cut ties with Australian rugby player Israel Folau a day after he was found guilty of breach of contract for posting anti-LGBT social media posts.
Sportswear brand Asics, a leading sponsor of the Australian national rugby team the Wallabies, cited differences in their views as a reason for the decision.
“We champion inclusivity and diversity,” the statement read, quoted in BBC. “While Israel Folau is entitled to his personal views, some of those expressed in recent social media posts are not aligned with those of Asics.”
It added: “As such, our partnership with Israel has become untenable and he will no longer represent Asics as a brand ambassador.”
