Australia: Sports commentator seeks counselling after calling player ‘big poofter’

A sports commentator has said he is in the process of getting professional counselling, after he attracted criticism for labelling a player 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 on Saturday, 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.”

Yesterday, AFL host Hamish McLachlan confirmed Taylor will remain on the air despite the incident, saying: “We recover from these problems through education and awareness.”

Brian Taylor told radio station 3AW today: “Although [Harry Taylor] wasn’t personally offended, I’m sure there are people out there that have been.

“I can’t say much more. I perhaps need to go away and educate myself, which I’m doing through some really good professional counselling. I’m in the process of that and I look forward to it.”

When pushed on whether his apology should have been broader, he said: “If I am going to be held account to every tiny word that I say, whether it be to Harry or to everyone, [that is unreasonable].

“When I apologise I mean [to] everyone – not just Harry, everyone – that is offended by it. It’s as simple as that.”

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