The crisis of racism surrounding the Melbourne Demons intensified when their primary sponsor acknowledged making several offensive remarks targeting Aborigines, Asians, women, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Ben Polis, an entrepreneur and the CEO and co-owner of EnergyWatch—providing the football club with approximately $2 million annually—confessed to posting a multitude of derogatory comments on Facebook.
In his remarks, Mr. Polis insulted the Melbourne indigenous player, Liam Jurrah, asserting that Jurrah’s recent arrest for a machete assault was beneficial as it brought attention to EnergyWatch.
He further remarked that when Jurrah “came to the Dees they thought he had tribal tats but it was ring worm. He had never been to a doctor in his life, he comes from out back bit past Carrum Downs.”
On Wednesday night, the Melbourne board convened a crisis meeting to determine the outcome of the sponsorship.
“The club is extremely concerned with these allegations. We have commenced a full investigation,” stated the board.
Mr. Polis, who also sponsors Melbourne Victory, defended his comments as private “jokes” and argued that he could not be racist due to having previously dated a “half-Aboriginal” woman.
“Do I have any beef with Aboriginals? No I don’t. If you get on to my Facebook, I make comments about every single race.”
The AFL indicated that Mr. Polis’s statements were the responsibility of the Demons.
This latest controversy arises following revelations that senior official Jason Mifsud played a role in disseminating a significant race-related allegation concerning Melbourne coach Mark Neeld.
After a heavy defeat by Brisbane Lions in round one, Melbourne is set to face West Coast in Perth on Saturday.
Buford Balony says: Typical AFL, they like to act all high and mighty but in reality they are a bunch of hypocrites.
