Collingwood have taken the extraordinary step of issuing a public apology for Lance Franklin getting booed, with the membership saying their followers “failed to respect a champion”.
Magpies followers drew the ire of the AFL world after booing the long run Hall of Famer throughout their staff’s win over Sydney on the MCG on Sunday.
Franklin went goalless because the Swans went down by 29 factors of their first conflict with Collingwood on the residence of footy in a decade.
The Magpies devoted booed the ahead for a lot of the day, following a well-known pattern after they have been the primary to do it to Port Adelaide teenager Jason Horne-Francis.
Sydney coach John Longmuir questioned why they’d boo, suggesting they need to be “celebrating a champion of the game”, whereas his counterpart Craig McRae additionally condemned the behaviour in his post-game interview.
The membership went one step additional on Monday, issuing a press release on behalf of the coach, captain Darcy Moore and chief government Craig Kelly.
“We apologise to the Sydney Swans and to Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin,” the assertion learn.
“The club does not support booing, particularly champions of the game.
“Yesterday was the first time we played the Swans at the MCG in a decade – it provided an opportunity to respect a champion of the game, and we fell short.
“Buddy is a great of Australian Football – what he has achieved on the field over a long period of time demands a high level of respect.
“To our members and supporters, we are on an exciting journey at Collingwood, and we do not take for granted the unwavering support you provide us with at every game – home or away. Our fans turn up like no other – you’re our 19th player – you’re loud, you’re passionate, you’re emotional.
“We hope the next time we get the chance to witness a champion of the game; we treat them with respect, the same respect we ask for when it comes to our players and our champions.
“When our club has the opportunity, we stand Side by Side with the greats of our game.”
The Swans additionally launched a press release expressing their disappointment of being again on this place with the behaviour just like that directed at Adam Goodes in his remaining season.
“Lance is a champion and his contribution to the AFL should be celebrated and respected,” the assertion learn.
“Fans are the lifeblood of our game and have the right to cheer loudly at the football. But booing isn’t a right – it’s offensive – and players should not be subjected to it in their workplace.
“We have been here before and sadly it seems some people have not learned from the past.”
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan additionally made the League’s stance clear.
“All players have the right to be treated respectfully on-field,” he mentioned.
“We want everyone to go to a game and express themselves, the passion for the contest and the voice of the crowd is what sets our competition apart, however we don’t accept excessive booing as part of our game.
“Jason Horne-Francis is an emerging star of our game, Lance Franklin is an all-time great. Our view applies equally to both. In fact, no player should be targeted in that way.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
