AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is angry with Sam Newman for encouraging Australians to boo the “Welcome to Country” ceremony at the grand final

Gillon McLachlan has blasted AFL identity Sam Newman after he bizarrely encouraged footy fans to boo during the pre-match “Welcome to Country” ceremony at the grand final on September 30.

The outgoing AFL boss made it clear he was not on the same page with the great Geelong Cats, who have been a magnet for controversy since his time as host of The Footy Show.

“I will not acknowledge such individual reactions in the community other than to say that I strongly disagree,” McLachlan said of Newman’s explosive comments.

“I think the ‘Welcome to Country’ throughout the final series and the anthem received a lot of respect. People stand, they clap, they feel included.

“It goes into the anthem and then into the start of our game, it’s a brilliant part of our game now.”

Gillon McLachlan has blasted AFL identity Sam Newman after he encouraged Australians to boo during the “Welcome to Country” ceremony at the grand final

Newman’s explosive comments about the indigenous ceremony led him to question whether he was a racist during a radio interview

Newman urged Australians to boo the traditional ceremony (pictured) not just at the Grand Final but at every performance

“The pregame was respected by all of our fans and then brought into the game.”

“I think our fans know where they stand. They were real football fans who attended the games and they were completely respectful.”

On Thursday, Newman doubled down on his polarizing “Welcome to Country” comments – and launched an extraordinary attack on Indigenous football legend Adam Goodes.

Newman told 3AW’s Tony Jones it was AFL fans’ fault for booing Goodes in ugly scenes that the football star claimed ended his career with the Swans prematurely.

The 77-year-old insisted Goodes was not booed because of his skin color and pointed out that no Indigenous AFL player had ever been booed because of his race.

During the tense interview, Jones asked Newman directly, “Are you a racist?”

Newman stuttered in response, “Well… what a… No, no, please…”

Jones clarified: “I think there are people right now who are listening to this with an open mind and would like me to ask that question.”

Newman said, “Now please tell me who you think is a racist other than me.”

“Who did I denigrate? I don’t think you know what racism is. Racism is primarily about hatred, when you insult someone, belittle them, belittle them, think you are superior to them, or try to dominate them.

“It is currently the most overworked word in the English lexicon…Tell me why everything I have said and done causes racism.”

Adam Goodes was booed by footy fans before taking a stand with his ‘javelin’ anniversary in 2015

But for weeks in 2015, Goodes was booed every time he went near the ball, before the ridicule reached the next level when he made the now infamous “javelin throw” gesture towards the crowd.

“Adam Goodes was booed for pretending to throw a javelin at the Carlton football team after the Swans beat them by ten goals at half-time and wondered why people…people get booed on the football field, not because of their skin “color, but because of the things they do,” Newman said.

“I know that, everyone knows that.” Then the AFL went into it… and said, “Please don’t boo Adam Goodes.” That’s like a red rag to a bull.’

Newman also insisted after his explosive comments that he was not trying to incite violence against First Nations people.

“We like to go to the football and watch the game without being told to vote for the gay marriage proposal, which is fine, without being told to vote for the vote – I know “that (the AFL) has withdrawn its instruction to vote yes.” the voice. Why are they getting involved?’ he said.

‘I will tell you. It’s an absolute joke. It is a disaster. Welcome to the country.

“Why do we need to be welcomed into the country we live in?” Why that? It’s just a sign of division.

“The people who welcome you to the country get a nice salary in return.” Why do they demand to have it? It’s just a mistake.’

Sam Newman described the Welcome to Country ceremonies as a “judgment” and a source of division

Newman described his podcast rant as a “provocative, ironic call” for Australians to reject Welcome to Country.

When questioned about the alleged backflip, Newman stood by his comments and told Jones he would boo it if he attended this year’s AFL Grand Final.

“I will stop at nothing,” Newman said.

Just moments before Newman’s radio spot, fiery Senator Lidia Thorpe appeared on Channel Nine – and didn’t mince her words.

“Sam Newman, I’m not sure why he’s even in the news.” “He’s irrelevant to any debate at this time,” she said on the Today show Thursday.

“It’s about peace.” The whole message behind it is respect.

“Sam Newman is not a respectful man at the best of times. He needs to continue his education.’

Host Karl Stefanovic then asked Ms Thorpe to comment on suggestions there were “too many” Welcome to Country ceremonies.

“I think it’s up to the traditional owners themselves and the event.” “It’s important for people to understand the land they’re on and the stories behind it,” she said.

“I don’t think there are too many. I think the stories that are told are important for this country to mature and come together.”

Newman lit the fuse on his podcast You can’t be serious with co-host Don Scott.

“How about this: The next time you go to a public event like the Grand Final or a football game or any other public event in an auditorium and they are reciting “Welcome to the Country,” start booing… or slow in to clap your hands,” he told his audience.

Newman said there were many Aboriginal Australians who shared his views on the ceremony.

“There are so many people who say that and I keep saying it’s just a drive for redemption and financial power.” “It is and I say the next time you go to a football game, go for it a final and they start saying this nonsense, just start booing and it will stop (it),” he said.

“The AFL should absolutely be whipped for getting people excited.” They patronize their whiteness by thinking they can virtuously cast all their sins on us.

“Honestly, it has to stop because this has divided the country more than anything else.” We want to be a group of people who live together and respect each other, Don. Start booing or clapping your hands slowly or something.’