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ABC News apologises over on-air AFL blunder

An ABC News presenter has been forced to apologise live on-air after an embarrassing mistake was made during the news bulletin.

ABC presenter Ruby Cornish apologised to viewers on Thursday evening. Picture: Supplied.
ABC presenter Ruby Cornish apologised to viewers on Thursday evening. Picture: Supplied.

An ABC News presenter has been forced to apologise to viewers after the program aired the wrong story.

Presenter Ruby Cornish addressed viewers after a series of sports stories aired including an AFL report “from a week ago” on Thursday night.

Cornish initially read a headline in relation to a Collingwood member who was banned for five years over a “highly inappropriate and threatening text message” aimed at the embattled Carlton coach Michael Voss.

ABC presenter Ruby Cornish apologised to viewers on Thursday evening. Picture: Supplied.
ABC presenter Ruby Cornish apologised to viewers on Thursday evening. Picture: Supplied.

She revealed that an AFL investigation found a member of a rival club was behind the vile threat.

However, the program then aired a video package from last week regarding Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick taking aim at the AFL in the wake of a league-wide change to umpire contact.

The clip discussed the AFL’s announcement that players hit with a fourth or subsequent careless umpire contact charge within the past two seasons will likely be sent straight to the tribunal.

As the bulletin came to an end, Cornish swiftly addressed viewers at home who may have been left baffled by the mistake.

ABC meant to air a video about Michael Voss on Thursday. Picture: Getty.
ABC meant to air a video about Michael Voss on Thursday. Picture: Getty.
Instead, ABC News aired a video package about Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick taking aim at the AFL. Picture: Supplied.
Instead, ABC News aired a video package about Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick taking aim at the AFL. Picture: Supplied.

“Before we move on, just a quick apology,” began the reporter. “A very short time ago, we played you an AFL story, which is actually from a week ago.

“That is not today’s news,” she added.

Earlier, Head of AFL integrity and security Tony Keane said no coach, player, official, staff member or fan should feel unsafe while at a game.

“The anti-social hotline at venues is designed to ensure everyone attending the match can do so in a safe and inclusive manner, and the majority of times this service is used appropriately,” he said.

“We understand there is passion in the game; however, the text message in question sent to the MCG hotline on Friday crossed the line.

“Regardless of the intent, no coach, player, official, staff member or fan deserves to be threatened in such a way, and now that patron has lost the privilege of attending the footy.”

Originally published as ABC News apologises over on-air AFL blunder

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/television/abc-news-apologises-over-onair-afl-blunder/news-story/efaec645a92dbabb30519afdb0511c74