Anti-vaxxer Anthony Mundine claims coronavirus is fake

Controversial former boxing and NRL star Anthony Mundine believes the coronavirus is a ‘ploy’ to introduce a mass vaccine.

Controversial former boxing and NRL star Anthony Mundine has claimed the coronavirus is fake and a ‘ploy’ to introduce a mass vaccine.

The 44-year-old who has previously made antivaccination statements, made the claim shortly after theWorld Health Organisation declared a public health emergency in relation to the virus.

According to health authorities, the virus, which originated in the Chinese of Wuhan after being passed from bats to humans, has spread to 23 countries, with more than 9,700 cases and 213 recorded deaths.

Anti-vaxxer Anthony Mundine reckons the coronavirus is a ‘ploy’.

But in a Facebook post on Saturday, Mundine shot down those reports after the Morrison Government was urged to stop flights from China to prevent the spread of the disease.

“I don’t even think this coronavirus is real. I think it’s a ploy to give a mass vaccine look into it.”

The post was immediately filled with people attacking Mundine’s view.

“I am a strong supporter but you need to stick to what you have knowledge of,” one person wrote.

Anthony Mundine claims the coronavirus is fake. Picture: Facebook

“If one has to choose between CSIRO scientists and your ridiculous comment about Coronavirus and vaccines in general it would appear you have lost another fight by KO. Come on bro keep it real you do no favours for yourself and your people by issuing such idiotic statements.”

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Another person wrote: “Come on choc you’re smarter than that mate.”

“You’ve been punched in the head too many times,” was another reply.

Others suggested Mundine visit Wuhan and see things for himself.

However some people commenting on his page, supported what Mundine had to say.

Mundine in his last fight, which he lost to John Wayne Parr. Picture: AAP

“I think it was spread to deliberately create world wide hysteria, hence vaccine sales,” one wrote.

In April last year, Mundine was labelled ‘extremely dangerous’ and ‘a peanut’ after spreading anti-vaccination theories.

“Don’t vaccine your kids period!” Mundine posted on social media at the time.

“The government bully [sic] you into vaccine !” he added.

“Do your research on the shit & watched the documentary vaxxed ...”

Mundine was referring to the misleading documentary Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe. The documentary has been widely discredited and was removed from Amazon Prime.

Former Socceroo and fellow anti-vaxxer Archie Thompson liked Mundine’s tweet, but the former St George Illawarra star, who infamously dropped the ball over the tryline in the 1999 NRL Grand Final, was savaged by Paralympian Kurt Fearnley.

“You got many mates with Polio? I do. A heap. From countries that didn’t have the luxury of vaccinations you peanut....” Fearnley said.

Anthony Mundine drops ball over the tryline during the Melbourne Storm v St George-Illawarra Dragons NRL Grand Final at Sydney's Stadium Australia in 1999. Picture: Trent Parke

Mundine’s views were labelled “extremely dangerous” by Federal Health Minister.

Anti-vaxxers have come under attack more recently after an outbreak of measles in Samoa.

After quitting Channel 10 reality show I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here in 2018,

Mundine appeared to support the death penalty for gays, saying it is the only way for society to deter homosexuality.

“If we were to live in a society, just like in Aboriginal culture, that homosexuality is forbidden and you do it and the consequences are capital punishment or death, you think you are going to do it? Or think twice about doing it?” he said.

Kurt Fearnley labelled Mundine ‘a peanut’ . Picture: Allan Reinikka / The Morning Bulletin

Mundine then added the same fate should befall paedophiles. “Hang them suckers,” he said.

Asked to clarify if he meant gays should be executed, he replied: “The paedophiles mainly, hang them suckers and let’s see if they have the balls to do it again.”

Originally published as Anti-vaxxer Anthony Mundine claims coronavirus is fake