Ivan Soldo blasts AFL greats over awards night absence dig as sad girlfriend detail comes to light

Ruckman Ivan Soldo has broken his silence to slam the criticism after skipping the Port Adelaide Best and Fairest awards night presentation and has also called for the 'bullying' of his girlfriend Chelsea Becirevic to stop. Soldo caused a stir in the AFL community when Port Adelaide confirmed he had requested a trade away from the club.s

The ruckman was said to be keen on a move to St Kilda, while Dan Houston has also informed Port he wants to leave. Soldo, who won a premiership with Richmond in 2019, still has two years remaining on his contract with the Power but was apparently keen on a new destination.

Last month, his girlfriend Becirevic hit back at claims she was the force behind Soldo's proposed trade away from Adelaide. Soldo then caused controversy when he was a no-show at the Port Adelaide awards night.

Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley took exception to Soldo's absence earlier this week and claimed it wasn't a good look not attending the end of seasons awards. “I cannot for the life of me fathom why a player who has represented a club and shared the blood, sweat and tears of that season with his teammates does not go to a best and fairest,” Buckley told SEN Radio.

“That is the culmination of the last 12 months of work. Just go. It makes no sense not to go. You can work your schedule around it."

However, Soldo has vehemently hit back at the criticism on Wednesday having deemed it unfair. The ruckman confirmed reports he was attending his best friends wedding, which was why he couldn't attend Port Adelaide's best and fairest.

"I'm honestly fed up with his ridiculous narrative that seems to not stop circulating," he wrote. "Let's just clear some things up, the only reason I didn't attend the PAFC best and fairest was because it was on the same night as my best friends wedding, that I was the best man for. In which the club fully supported me to attend."

Soldo then hit back at Kane Cornes, after the Port Adelaide great took a swipe at his 'character' after the drama erupted. "If that reflects badly on my character Kane our values clearly don't align," he added.

Ivan Soldo reveals sad Chelsea Becirevic 'bullying'

Unfortunately, Soldo also had to call for AFL fans to stop 'bullying' his partner. Becirevic has previously bemoaned how she has become the centre of attention in the trade drama. And Soldo demanded fans stop targeting her during the saga.

"Also the bullying and hate towards my partner also needs to stop. This backwards narrative is getting old," he added.

Soldo also made the candid claim he has no intention of leaving Port Adelaide, despite weeks of trade drama. Cornes had questioned Soldo's character after the best and fairest absence.

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“The Saints have dodged a bullet here,” Cornes said on Channel Nine's Footy Furnace last week. “So not only are they worried about the knee. They’d have to be worried about his character. I know… you reported that they (Power) are happy to have him back. I’m not certain of that.

“And certainly, Ivan doesn’t want to go back. He’s got to really look at the way he’s carried himself at Port Adelaide and the character that he is.

Chelsea Becirevic blasts AFL criticism over trade

Last month, Soldo's partner Becirevic broke her silence over the speculation and slammed suggestions she'd put pressure on Soldo to get out of Adelaide. “I’m honestly fed up with the ridiculous narrative that keeps circulating. I’ve stayed silent for far too long, but it’s time to set the record straight,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Somehow I’ve become the centre of attention for a trade that has nothing to do with me. I genuinely don’t understand where this information is coming from.

“Not that it’s anyone business but, I moved back from Dubai to support my boyfriend, and somehow I find myself being dragged through the media. It’s disappointing to see the same old story – where the girls gets blamed for everything.”