- Glaring error unfolded during ABC News on Thursday night
- Report was on death threat recently issued to Michael Voss
The ABC has issued an urgent apology following an embarrassing live gaffe during a report about a death threat directed at under-fire AFL coach Michael Voss.
Speaking on ABC News on Thursday night, presenter Ruby Cornish reported on a Collingwood member who was banned from attending games for five years following a ‘highly inappropriate and threatening text message’ aimed at Voss, who is fighting to save his job at Carlton.
Inexplicably, the program instead aired a video package from last week featuring Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick, who was venting his anger at the code’s umpire contact change.
As the bulletin drew to a close, Cornish addressed viewers about the error.
‘Before we move on, just a quick apology,’ she began.
‘A very short time ago, we played you an AFL story, which is actually from a week ago. That is not today’s news.’
The ABC apologised for its embarrassing mistake during a live report about a death threat against under-fire AFL coach Michael Voss (pictured) on Thursday
As the bulletin drew to a close, ABC presenter Ruby Cornish (pictured) addressed viewers, who were baffled by the error
The AFL confirmed the Collingwood supporter has been banned from the AFL and all MCG events for five years after threatening Voss. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any of the Magpies fans in this image are the perpetrator
It comes as the AFL confirmed the Magpies supporter has been banned from the AFL and all MCG events until 2030 after threatening Voss.
The AFL said the fan sent a text message to the MCG’s anti-social behaviour hotline on July 4 when Collingwood tackled Carlton at the same venue.
Despite the hefty penalty, the supporter remains unidentified.
‘We understand there is passion in the game, however the text message in question sent to the MCG hotline crossed the line,’ Tony Keane, the AFL integrity and security boss, said.
‘Regardless of the intent, no coach, player, official, staff member or fan deserves to be threatened in such a way, and now that patron has lost the privilege of attending the footy.’
The member is also banned from AFLW games for five years and the Magpies said they would ‘follow suit’ with the AFL/MCG penalty.
‘The club is very disappointed by the member’s actions, which have resulted in a five-year ban from both the MCG and AFL,’ a statement said.
‘Collingwood will not tolerate any threats to officials, supporters or individuals involved in our great game – such conduct is unacceptable and not representative of the club or its values.’
After being outclassed by Brisbane at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night by 37 points, Carlton have lost four games in a row.
Finals footy is now off the table – and Voss appears to be on borrowed time as head coach.
Blues fans are up in arms at their team’s demise, with vandals spraying graffiti on the walls at Carlton’s Ikon Park headquarters last month, calling for the club board to be sacked.
Carlton are next in action against fellow strugglers Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on July 19.
