Waleed Aly’s Heritier Lumumba interview removed after racism backlash

A video of Gold Logie winner Waleed Aly’s controversial interview with former AFL star Heritier Lumumba has disappeared from Channel 10’s online platforms.

Channel 10 has removed a video of Waleed Aly’s controversial 2017 interview with former AFL star Heritier Lumumba on The Project in the wake of backlash.

The clip mysteriously disappeared from the broadcaster’s online platforms last week after Aly was accused of hypocrisy after openly doubting Lumumba’s claims of racism during a TV interview.

The Gold Logie winner continues to face backlash amid calls for him to apologise to Lumumba following the release of a bombshell investigation, which recently found Collingwood guilty of “systemic racism”.

Waleed Aly on The Project

EX-COLLINGWOOD AFL player Heritier Lumumba held back tears on The Project during a 2017 interview with Waleed Aly. Picture: The Project

At the time, Aly and his co-host, Peter Helliar, who are both AFL fans, questioned Lumumba’s claim that he was called a “chimp” by fellow Collingwood players from 2005-2014.

“We can’t find anyone who would speak to us who knew of that nickname over a playing career of 10 years,” Helliar said on the show after Aly’s interview aired.

“Even if you have to name names, take us into your experience. Paint the picture so we understand it more. Because if you don’t do that, then it just sounds like you’re smearing an entire club.”

Helliar has since apologised for the comments.

“I urge all fans & members to demand better from @CollingwoodFC . This report is heartbreaking. To @iamlumumba I am truly, unequivocally sorry. I should have believed you. I will do better,” Helliar tweeted last week.

Attention has now turned to Aly, whose 2017 interview with Lumumba was likened to a “cross examination” by critics.

Aly has positioned himself in the media as being a vocal supporter of social justice issues and The Project has become somewhat of a platform for progressive ideaologies over the years.

The interview has now disappeared from Channel 10’s online platforms. Picture: The Project

ABC Offsiders panellist Gideon Haigh led criticism surrounding The Project in the wake of the Collingwood report findings.

“Was it ever seriously so difficult to believe Lumumba? It seems to me the journalists bought readily into the club’s campaign to discredit him because of their need for access, because of their general conformity and frankly their whiteness,” Haigh said.

Channel 10 declined to comment when approached for comment.

Critics flocked to social media to weigh in, with many calling on Aly to apologise.

Aly’s fellow panellist Peter Helliar (left) recently apologised to Lumumba for doubting his claims of racism.

“They deleted the racist victim blamey interview between Héritier Lumumba and Waleed Aly but have issued no acknowledgement or apology. It’s gross,” one user tweeted.

“Imagine if you will for 1 minute this was say Alan Jones instead of Waleed Aly, the left would be screaming for blood but it’s one of their own so nothing to see here,” another user wrote.

“Won’t ever watch The Project based on its stitch up of Heritier Lumumba... Waleed, are you proud of assisting CFC and AFL to continue its racism?” a third person tweeted.