Sam Newman defends inviting neo-Nazis Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell onto his podcast

AFL personality Sam Newman is facing criticism for inviting prominent neo-Nazis Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell onto his podcast, You Cannot Be Serious.

Sam Newman poses with notorious neo-Nazis Blair Cottrell and Thomas Sewell. Picture: X

Controversial AFL personality Sam Newman has interviewed neo-Nazis Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell on his podcast, in a move slammed as an “absolute moral collapse”.

The former Footy Show host appeared in a photo with the pair on Monday, donning his signature red ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ podcast branded top.

In a post on X, Cottrell wrote: “Today Thomas Sewell and I had a chat with footy icon Sam Newman. Keep an out for the podcast!”

Sam Newman has appeared in a photo with Thomas Sewell (pictured above performing a Nazi salute) and Blair Cottrell. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Dvir Abramovich said Newman’s actions were ‘dangerously’ and ‘unforgivably wrong’. Picture: YouTube

When questioned by the Herald Sun, Newman said it was “not guilt by association”.

“I can ignore them but interviewing them is not an endorsement of their mantra,” he said.

“As for having my picture appear on X, I always do a promo video of subjects I interview so cannot stop people from their vicarious motives.

“I have interviewed many controversial figures on ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ but notice have not been questioned ‘why’ previously.

“In all instances, this is not ‘guilt by association’.”

The 55-minute episode was scheduled to air on Wednesday but was released early on Monday night after the Herald Sun published its story online.

The episode discusses an Australia Day march where Sewell and 16 others were arrested and charged with various offences including failing to cease loitering and displaying a Nazi symbol in Adelaide.

Australian Football icon Sam Newman discussed our recent Australia Day march on his podcast last week.

Because he is a fair and honest man, he decided to have Blair @b_cottrell89 (who organised the Melbourne demonstration) and myself on his show today.

Uploaded this Wednesday. https://t.co/ElTtgB1Nw1

— Thomas Sewell (@ThomasSewellx) February 3, 2025

Thomas Sewell performing a Nazi salute. Picture: David Crosling

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said because Cottrell was a convicted racist and Sewell had repeatedly performed Nazi salutes, the decision to give the pair a platform was an “absolute moral collapse”.

“Sam Newman has now plunged into the depths of disgrace, rolling out the red carpet for these men,” he said.

“These two have been accused of being the faces of hatred, and Sam Newman has just handed them legitimacy on a silver platter.

“By giving them a platform, Newman has spat in the face of Holocaust survivors, trampled on the legacy of the courageous diggers who died to defeat Hitler, and insulted every Australian who has fought against bigotry.”

Thomas Sewell cut a swastika cake at a birthday party for Adolf Hitler at a gathering in Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Mr Abramovich said Newman’s actions were “dangerously” and “unforgivably wrong”.

“There is right and there is wrong — and what Sam Newman has done is dangerously, unforgivably wrong.

“He has given these men a megaphone, and in doing so, has disgraced not only himself, but the very game that once made him a household name.

“Sam Newman, your legacy is now rewritten. Not as a sporting great, but as a man who stood with men charged with being vile extremists in Australia.”

Alon Cassuto, CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia said: “Blair Cottrell and Thomas Sewell have no place being platformed.”

Sewell, the leader of the European Australian Movement, and Cottrell are both prominent far-right figures.

Last year, Sewell was also charged over a neo-Nazi march in Ballarat.

Cottrell was found guilty of inciting hatred, contempt and ridicule of Muslims after making a video beheading a dummy in protest of a Bendigo mosque in 2017.