Eddie McGuire has blasted Channel Seven rival Andy Maher for criticising fans who drink too much at the footy after the Front Bar host was caught up in ugly scenes at the Carlton vs Collingwood match last Saturday night.
Security guards had to step in when Maher was confronted by a spectator he later described as ‘pretty pi**ed’ and ‘munted’.
On Monday, the 61-year-old commentator lashed out at fans who get drunk at games in comments that got McGuire offside.
‘The last five times I’ve gone to the footy with the kids it [fans drinking] has been an issue and it’s always been in the MCC [Melbourne Cricket Club] members, which is the troubling thing,’ Maher said.
‘Why do you have to come along and get yourself munted and then make a fool of yourself and ruin everyone else’s experience?’
McGuire hit back at Maher on Wednesday night’s edition of Nine’s Footy Classified show.
Pictured: The moment security guards (in yellow) had to step in to defuse the situation when a footy fan got into a clash with Channel Seven star Andy Maher (circled)
Maher (pictured) later lashed out at spectators who drink too much at the footy – and his comments didn’t go down well with AFL identity Eddie McGuire
‘I was going to say something about a story that was coming up with Andy Maher, but I’ll let it go until next week. I don’t need to have a blue with anybody at the moment,’ McGuire said.
‘But if you’re hosting a show called The Front Bar, don’t complain about people drinking at the footy.’
The Front Bar has been sponsored by beer companies since it started in 2017, first partnering with Carlton Draught, then switching to Furphy in 2023.
The show features regular hosts Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang drinking beers as they interview guests, who usually have a beer themselves.
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that the show does, or ever has, promoted irresponsible drinking.
The vision of the Maher incident shows a man who was unsteady on his feet get out of his seat and confront the commentator and noted Carlton fan.
It is not known what the man said, but he could be seen touching Maher’s shoulder during the clash, as other fans yelled for security to have him removed.
A woman could be seen trying to de-escalate the situation before MCG security arrived and escorted the disruptive man away.
McGuire (pictured) said Maher is in no position to complain about drunks at the footy when he co-hosts The Front Bar, which features beer in every episode
Maher is pictured with (left to right) his Front Bar co-host Mick Molloy, former AFL star Mitch Hahn, and co-host Sam Pang as the show announced its new sponsor, Furphy beer, in March
‘It was the last three minutes of the game and I noticed there were two blokes who were pretty pi**ed,’ Maher said.
‘[Comedian] Dave Hughes was sitting four rows behind me and my attention was caught by Hughesy saying, “You can’t say that to the old bloke, you’ve crossed the line, take it back, apologise”.
‘Then this bloke looked up at me and saw me sitting there and I said, “Mate, just shoosh”. That was it.
‘Then he came over to me and said, “Andrew Maher, I know you. You will listen to me”.
‘He was pi**ed and wouldn’t sit down, so then he got chucked out.’
The incident took place in front of Maher’s daughters, who he said were ‘a bit freaked out’ by the fan.
‘The last five times I’ve gone to the footy with the kids it [fans drinking] has been an issue and it’s always been in the MCC [Melbourne Cricket Club] members, which is the troubling thing.’
According to comments on social media from people who claimed to have witnessed the clash, Maher kept his cool throughout the encounter.
‘….some deranged Dees supporter was having a crack at @AndyMaher behind me. Poor bloke was just trying to watch the game with his kids,’ posted an X user.
‘No idea what this was about with this drongo, but bravo to Andy for keeping a level head,’ replied another.
‘He’s lucky Andy’s a pacifist,’ said a third.
