Sam Newman slams Muslim AFL stars' stand against racism

AFL identity Sam Newman has launched a stunning attack on the league after two Muslim players took a powerful stand against racism before a game.

In a strong show of solidarity, Essendon’s Adam Saad and Richmond’s Bachar Houli embraced before the coin toss at the MCG last Friday night.

The Muslim players had decided to send a statement in protest of controversial comments made by Senator Fraser Anning last week, in which he called for a return to a “European Christian” immigration system and a ban on Muslim immigration to Australia.

Saad and Houli were largely praised for their actions, but Newman has since criticised the ‘divisive’ move.

Speaking on the Sam, Mike & Thomo podcast, Newman said he didn’t necessarily agree with Anning’s comments, but said “70 per cent of the people would.”

“There are 600,000 Muslims in Australia, they share no common interest with what we’re on about.

“They have no common values, they preach to a different deity, they don’t generally nationalise, they colonise, and this has been a huge problem in Europe and is becoming a huge problem in America.

“I don’t necessarily agree with what Fraser Anning said but there’d be a significant number of people in this country that would absolutely agree with what he said.”

Newman then criticised the AFL for becoming involved in the political matter, despite the league never publicly linking the Saad-Houli embrace with Anning.

“Why would the AFL think they’re being virtuous by getting those boys to shake hands? They’re being divisive,” he said.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick called the players’ act “a good opportunity to stand up”, while Collingwood player Mason Cox said it “Says so much about the unity of this country and standing up for what is right.”

Newman has previously slammed the AFL’s support of same sex marriage.

“When you insert yourself into the political arena to lecture people on their politics and to tell people what they should be thinking then you make a rod for your own back,” Newman said.

“Because you then invite people to disrespect the flag, the anthem and the nation by doing what the NFL do in America and that’s to sit down or take a knee and it shows that you aren’t patriotic and it becomes a hornet’s nest.

“Keep out of our minds… let people go to the games and not be lectured on politics by the AFL, the NRL the basketball or anyone else.

“People do not want to be told what they should think.

“They just need to put a game on and get the rules right and get it umpired properly and get a match review system that’s competent. That’s all they have to do. Keep out of our lives.”