- Collingwood star was booed in disgraceful scenes
Channel Ten newsreader has called Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor ‘Gaynor’ in a very unfortunate slip-up on a live bulletin just days after the footballer was caught up in the AFL’s homophobic abuse scandal.
The Magpies defender was booed every time he touched the ball during his team’s win over Adelaide last Thursday night.
He was the target of a homophobic slur from Crows star Izak Rankine during the teams’ clash on August 16, with Rankine later banned for four matches as a result.
Riminton was covering the aftermath of the booing on Ten when he made the slip of the tongue.
‘Instead, wouldn’t you know it, the AFL world is talking about the Crows fans who booed Isaac Gaynor, the most recent development in that ugly saga involving homophobia and bigotry, and a governing body that seems to be struggling to tackle it,’ Riminton told viewers on 10 News+.
The mistake by Ten’s national affairs editor was picked up on social media site X.
Channel Ten newsreader Hugh Riminton (pictured with co-host Amelia Brace) mispronounced Isaac Quaynor’s surname in the worst way possible while introducing a story on the AFL star getting caught up in the league’s homophobic abuse scandal
Riminton called Quaynor ‘Gaynor’ just after the Collingwood star was booed by Crows fans in their team’s finals loss last Thursday night
Quaynor (pictured during the Adelaide match) was targeted after he was on the receiving end of a homophobic slur by Crows star Izak Rankine on August 16
Collingwood coach Craig McRae labelled the booing ‘really disappointing’ but other big names of the AFL – and a long list of fans – went a lot further in their criticism.
Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor told viewers, ‘I cannot believe this is happening. He [Quaynor] has done nothing wrong,’ as the abuse was picked up on microphones during the broadcast.
‘They [Crows fans] were seething over different things and goodness, even booing every time Quaynor got the ball, which meant they were hoarse by the end of the night,’ Channel Nine star and former Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire said.
Fox Sports commentator Sarah Jones reacted by telling viewers, ‘I don’t think we need to do that. As a footy code, we’re better than that.’
Fans took it up several notches online.
‘I’m still struggling to understand the crowd booing Isaac Quaynor last night & the atrocious message it sends. Quaynor didn’t report what Rankine said. He didn’t formally complain. All he did was be the victim of someone else’s slur,’ one wrote.
‘Adelaide fans booing Isaac Quaynor, the VICTIM of homophobic slurs? Stay classy,’ added another.
‘Isaac Quaynor being booed by Adelaide fans is one of the more disgusting things I’ve seen from footy supporters. Anyone doing it should be kicked off the ground,’ a third commenter wrote.
The unfortunate slip-up by Riminton (pictured) came as he told viewers the AFL is embroiled in an ‘ugly saga involving homophobia and bigotry’
Rankine (pictured) was banned for four games after using the slur
‘I’m embarrassed to be a Crows fan today. Not for the loss, I’m proud of our fight and making it back to finals. But booing Isaac Quaynor, the victim, is shameful. It’s not ‘part of the game.’ It’s disgusting. Our club should come out today and call it out,’ another added.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks refused to comment on the crowd behaviour post-match, but on Friday Adelaide officials and leadership group member Reilly O’Brien agreed with McRae.
‘We want members and footy fans to be barracking and passionate,’ the Crows said in a statement.
‘However they should do so respectfully and any behaviour contrary to that is disappointing and not appropriate.’
Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien also labelled the crowd’s treatment of Quaynor as ‘disappointing’.
‘It was a pretty hostile environment last night, Adelaide Oval, and fans sometimes do what they do,’ O’Brien told reporters.
‘Obviously, yeah, fans have crossed the line sometimes with that.
‘I haven’t analysed it too much myself, to be honest, and haven’t read too much into it, but crowds can do that sort of thing.’
