AFL 2020: Sam Newman calls out ‘pathetic’ and ‘racist’ decision on Indigenous players

Controversial former Footy Show star Sam Newman has flipped the switch on the AFL after the league singled out Indigenous players in an email.

Sam Newman is at it again.

Former Footy Show host Sam Newman has given the AFL a serve after it was forced to backflip on a controversial email that singled out Indigenous players.

Newman on Sunday said the AFL’s official communication to club doctors informing them that it was compulsory for Indigenous and Torres Strait Island players to receive a pneumococcal vaccination “is the epitome of racism”.

The league was on Friday forced into an apology after reports claimed there was a communication breakdown surrounding new health advice from the Queensland Government.

It soon emerged that the AFL had misinterpreted the Queensland Government’s tightening of border controls and that the immunisation shot was not required under the game’s strict biosecurity protocols that have seen AFL players given special exemptions to be based in Queensland and for other teams to continue to fly in and fly out from interstate on game day.

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Newman said Sunday the AFL was guilty of the very thing the game has consistently preached against — as evidenced by the powerful Black Lives Matter demonstrations conducted by players earlier this season, with the full support of league officials.

“Isn’t it often the way, the people who accuse you of something usually end up doing it far worse,” Newman posted on Twitter.

Sam Newman arrives to face Nicky Winmar.

“The AFL requiring aboriginal players to adhere to different safety protocols IS the epitome of ‘racism’. Waiting for the pathetic explanation. #BLM”

When a fan pointed out the AFL had misunderstood the Queensland government’s health advice, Newman responded by saying it was the “first PATHETIC excuse”.

Isn’t it often the way, the people who accuse you of something usually end up doing it far worse. The AFL requiring aboriginal players to adhere to different safety protocols IS the epitome of ‘racism’. Waiting for the pathetic explanation. #BLM

— Sam Newman (@Origsmartassam) July 19, 2020

The AFL released a statement admitting to its stuff up.

“The AFL acknowledges it could have obtained and shared more information from the Queensland Government health authorities regarding the vaccination, including the underlying health safety benefits and that it can improve its processes in providing information to support club doctors in ensuring cultural safety in provision of health to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” an AFL statement on Friday claimed.

“The AFL is committed to working closely with the AFLPA and the players, our clubs and our doctors to resolve the situation.”

Newman earlier this month was forced to apologise and pay compensation to AFL legend Nicky Winmar after a Podcast he was involved with publicly questioned the St Kilda star’s iconic gesture of calling out racism.

Podcast hosts Newman, Mike Sheahan and Don Scott all apologised for the moment they rewrote history surrounding the day Winmar lifted his shirt to show his pride in being an Indigenous Australian after being racially abused by Collingwood fans in 1993.

It was reported Newman, Sheahan and Scott agreed to make a significant donation to an Indigenous charity as part of the settlement that was struck with Winmar and photographer Wayne Ludbey.