'Shame on you': SBS presenter condemned over 'horrendous' comments
Lucy Zelic won't be welcomed back in Adelaide again anytime soon.
In fact, the wider South Australian state could justifiably hold a grudge after the SBS presenter's unsolicited slight on the capital city.
Appearing on SBS's The World Game podcast on Monday, Zelic sparked outrage during an interview with Central Coast Mariners recruit Ziggy Gordon.
Zelic asked the Scottish player - whose Mariners take on Adelaide United in an FFA Cup semi-final next Wednesday - what parts of Australia he'd managed to visit during his time Down Under.
Gordon revealed that he'd taken in some sights in Tasmania as well as Melbourne, before Zelic interjected with a shocking attack on Adelaide.
“You won’t see much in Adelaide," Zelic declared.
“Adelaide’s a s**thole.
“No disrespect, no disrespect.”
Co-host Nick Stoll let out a stunned gasp at the outburst as Zelic attempted to play down the comments.
“I can say that because I’ve travelled there multiple times and I didn’t enjoy it.
“I found it to be incredibly dull and boring.”
Not surprisingly, the comments went down like a lead balloon for many football fans.
@LucyZelic very average effort and should be barred from SA, our wine, our seafood. Great promotion for the network!
— Simon Scadden (@simon_scadden) September 24, 2019
This is really disappointing from someone I look up to in the media. Really, truly disappointing. Also a very ignorant opinion of Adelaide. She can have that opinion but this is super unprofessional. 😑 @LucyZelic I would never have expected this from you. 💔 https://t.co/RbHLunUq6K
— Andrea Pelizzari (@Pelizareca) September 24, 2019
@LucyZelic shame on you
— Jason KV (@JasonKVOfficial) September 23, 2019
Totally unprofessional. Can't stand her 🤮
— David Roth (@DavidRoth0895) September 24, 2019
So you can roll out anything you like just add "No disrespect" and you'll be good.
— Dave Lloyd (@AlbertonPower) September 24, 2019
Totally unprofessional. Can't stand her 🤮
— David Roth (@DavidRoth0895) September 24, 2019
Making Zelic's outburst even more inexplicable is the fact Adelaide was again voted one of the top 10 most liveable cities in 2019.
It's official! Adelaide remains the tenth most liveable city in the world for 2019. Adelaide is a city #DesignedForLife; one that proudly gives its residents the freedom of time and choice to create their unique stories through community, cultural and wellbeing experiences. pic.twitter.com/Z1vmyXYsCY
— CityofAdelaide (@CityofAdelaide) September 4, 2019
Nevertheless, many football fans in Adelaide deemed Zelic's comments indefensible and irreparable.
“SBS should sack Lucy Zelic after her offensive comment about Adelaide being ‘a s**thole’,” Orazio di Carlo tweeted.
“What a horrendous statement to make about a city that had often been voted in the top five most liveable cities in the world.
“Lost me as a viewer SBS.”
Zelic ‘truly sorry’
To her credit, Zelic apologised on Tuesday for any offence she may have caused.
The SBS presenter said she recognised her comments "weren't okay" and was "truly sorry" for the uproar they had caused.
Yesterday I made an off-handed comment about Adelaide on The World Game LIVE. I recognise these comments weren’t okay and I’m truly sorry for what I said.
— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) September 24, 2019