AFL legend and Port Adelaide Football Club board member Warren Tredrea under fire from Jewish Council of Australia over AJ Roberts appearance on Ballsy Show podcast

The Jewish Council’s criticism comes after the AFL legend and Power board member made national headlines over a bizarre court appearance. Listen to the clip.

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AFL great and Port Adelaide Football Club board member Warren Tredrea is facing backlash from Jewish Council of Australia after airing a podcast episode in which a guest described Israel as a “fake state” and linked it to the creation of ISIS and the 9/11 terror attacks.

The former Power captain and premiership player has come under fire following the release of an episode of his podcast, The Ballsy Show, featuring British Army veteran AJ Roberts.

During the interview, Mr Roberts referred to Israel as a “fake state” created by “the same Zionists who were controlling World War II”.

He also claimed that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, was involved in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City, and had worked with former US President Barack Obama to create ISIS.

Port Adelaide AFL premiership captain and club board member Warren Tredrea in Adelaide. Picture: Naomi Jellicoet

British Army veteran AJ Roberts was a guest on Warren Tredrea's podcast 'The Ballsy Show'

“Mossad was part of carrying out 9/11,” Mr Roberts said.

“Mossad created ISIS with Barack Obama. So ISIS actually stands for Israeli Specialist Intelligence Service.”

A short clip of the interview was later shared on Mr Tredrea’s Instagram page, prompting criticism from Jewish community members.

Adelaide Jewish community leader Norman Schueler said it was disappointing to see the former Port Adelaide captain using his platform to “give credence to things people know are rubbish.”

“He should stick to AFL because it’s in poor taste and to some it would seem he’s demeaning himself,” he said.

“He may not have said those things himself, but he’s now tarnished with the same brush.”

However, Mr Schueler stopped short of calling the AFL heavyweight to take the episode down, saying: “It’s his right to do that, but he’s making a spectacle of himself.”

Mr Schueler also said that saying “Zionists controlled World War Two” amounted to a form of Holocaust denial.

Both Warren Tredrea and AJ Roberts have been contacted for comment.

Mr Tredrea has previously rejected accusations that he had been “backing people” who were “antisemitic”.

The controversy comes as Port Adelaide Football Club chair David Koch faces questions about Mr Tredrea’s position on the club’s board, amid his ongoing court dispute with former employer Channel 9.

Mr Tredrea has claimed his contract was unfairly terminated in 2022 after he refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

Originally published as AFL legend and Port Adelaide Football Club board member Warren Tredrea under fire from Jewish Council of Australia over AJ Roberts appearance on Ballsy Show podcast