Storm erupts as Socceroos legend snubs King Charles
Socceroos legend and former Australian of the Year Craig Foster is being torn to shreds over a public snub of King Charles.
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Socceroos legend and former Australian of the Year Craig Foster is being torn to shreds over a public snub of King Charles.
The 55-year-old on Saturday took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a photo of an invite he’d received to attend an exclusive event “in the presence” of His Majesty.
Foster’s blunt comment showed exactly what he thinks of the Monarchy.
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Foster’s invite was issued by NSW Premier Chris Minns and would have seen Foster rub shoulders with Charles III in the casual setting of a “BBQ”.
The outspoken social activist used his opportunity to stoke the flames of the continued push for Australia to become a republic and ditch the royal figurehead as Australia’s head of state.
“Thanks Anna and @ChrisMinnsMP, But, no thanks,” Foster wrote.
“I look forward to being ‘in the presence of’ our first Aussie Head of State.
“When we put our big pants on, as a country.”
Foster in 2022 replaced Peter FitzSimons as chair of the Australian Republic Movement before standing down in May.
He has been very public in his criticisms of the Monarchy and its place in Australia’s system of government — but Saturday’s public snub of the former Prince of Wales was not well received by many.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford responded: “Why the need to decline so publicly?”
Jan Summers responded: “I can’t stand Charlie either but you can quietly decline an invitation in private”.
Sarah Delore wrote: “I’ll take your invite, you ungrateful fool”.
Tennis commentator Todd Scoullar wrote: “Pathetic. Don’t see the need to go public with this, except for your own self-indulgence. Ordinary bloke”.
One Twitter user even called for Foster to hand back his Member of the Order Australia (AM) honours while another asked his 40,000 followers to “like” his post if they believe Foster is a “stupid white bastard”.
Former Victorian Labor MP Philip Dalidakis also wrote: “What a self indulgent little child you are, Craig Foster.
“Firstly to big note yourself by showing everyone you were invited to the State’s community reception for the King. Hopefully they don’t make that mistake again.
“Secondly to share the invite publicly & embarrass Chris Minns & Mrs Minns by refusing the invite.
“Thirdly, whatever you think of Charles & the monarchy, he is still deserving of respect for the work he does and the causes he champions. I too am an Australian Republic supporter and look forward to the day we have our own head of state, but until (then) try to show a little bit of class.”
Foster’s post, viewed more than 370,000 times, also received many supportive messages with others praising the NSW Australian of the Year for taking a public stand.
Over the years, the SBS football icon has emerged as one of Australia’s leading human rights advocates.
According to the NSW Government’s 2023 Australian of the Year announcement, he “has spent the past decade campaigning for refugee rights and marginalised communities” and “promotes anti-racism, allyship and what he calls ‘active multiculturalism’ – communities protecting each other”.
“Foster is also patron of Australia’s Indigenous football teams, and “works tirelessly for a better Australia including the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ and #RacismNotWelcome campaigns, and volunteers at the Addison Road Community Organisation and food pantry in Sydney”.
He was named Australian of the Year in 2023 for several fields of service, headlined by his successful campaign to have refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who faced extradition to Bahrain from Thailand, released from Australian immigration detention.
He made headlines in March when he apologised to Matildas captain Sam Kerr.
Foster previously questioned if Kerr should be able to hold onto her position as Matildas captain as a result of her alleged racial harassment of a police officer. Kerr has pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is alleged she called one London police officer “stupid white bastard”.
Foster, who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021 for his service to multiculturalism, human rights and refugee support, then changed his tune when further details of the arrest emerged.
He posted on X: “Sam Kerr’s case has created immensely important conversations and exposed gaps in Australia’s knowledge, including mine.
“I am not at all surprised to have got this wrong, apologise to Sam for reaching the wrong conclusion and am very pleased to be able to improve my advocacy.”
Originally published as Storm erupts as Socceroos legend snubs King Charles
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