Eddie McGuire says he’s been defamed by Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham as academy stoush escalates

UPDATE: SYDNEY chairman Andrew Pridham has apologised to Eddie McGuire for calling him an “intellectual pygmy”, admitting he misinterpreted McGuire’s comments.

SYDNEY chairman Andrew Pridham has “unreservedly apologised” to Eddie McGuire for calling him an “intellectual pygmy” as tensions escalate over the ongoing academy row.

Pridham launched a scathing attack on McGuire yesterday, but this morning was forced into an embarrassing backdown after admitting he had misinterpreted McGuire’s comments.

Pridham said he incorrectly thought McGuire was talking about the Swans and Giants when McGuire was actually discussing the Parramatta salary cap cheating scandal from the day before.

Pridham admitted he didn’t listen to the full audio on Triple M.

“My question re Eddie’s salary cap comment was based on audio provided to me and noted I had not heard entire segment and still have not,” Pridham said.

“I now understand Eddies comment related to Parramatta. Withdraw comment and apologise unreservedly on that point.”

McGuire said he accepted Pridham’s apology after days of tension bubbled over this morning.

Pridham’s outburst yesterday followed claims by McGuire that the Swans were against the introduction of GWS Giants into the AFL.

My question re Eddie's salary cap comment was based on audio provided to me and noted I had not heard entire segment and still have not. 1/2

— Andrew Pridham (@Pridhamhq) 5 May 2016

2/2 I now understand Eddies comment related to Parramatta. Withdraw comment and apologise unreservedly on that point.

— Andrew Pridham (@Pridhamhq) 5 May 2016

McGuire, who has backed an AFL review into the Giants’ contentious academy setup, this morning fired back at Pridham, saying the Sydney chairman had “defamed and tried to publicly humiliate” him.

McGuire also repeated his belief the Swans ran a campaign against the Giants’ introduction.

“There has been exception that I said Sydney voted against GWS,” McGuire said on Triple M.

“They ran an absolute orchestrated campaign to not get GWS allowed into the competition.

Eddie McGuire returned serve after he was called an “intellectual pygmy” by Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“(Journalists should) go back to your files and pull out the quotes from Richard Colless at the time, ring (AFL chairman) Mike Fitzpatrick, ring (former AFL CEO) Andrew Demetriou, ring anyone who was in the room during these debates in the lead up to when it (Giants’ introduction) was a fait accompli.

“And maybe they (Swans) put their hand up then (to approve), I can’t remember.

“All I know is the most vehement opponent of GWS coming into the competition was the Sydney Swans.”

Just heard @triplemfooty audio from today re @sydneyswans and @GWSGIANTS. Typical rubbish from intellectual pygmies. Not a truth in sight.

— Andrew Pridham (@Pridhamhq) 4 May 2016

Some have suggested my Tweet yesterday was inappropriate and could be viewed as insulting. Fair cop. I apologise to all Pygmies.

— Andrew Pridham (@Pridhamhq) 5 May 2016