FOOTBALL commentator Brian Taylor has been stood down for 3AW's coverage of Sunday’s Essendon-Collingwood clash as the fall-out continues from his on-air comment labelling Geelong player Harry Taylor "a big poofter".
Taylor made the remark about the Cats defender on Channel Seven on Saturday night.
"I've spoken to (3AW) management and they have chosen to give me a day off to collect my thoughts, so I'll take the opportunity to have a day off," Taylor said on Sunday.
"My apology of last night absolutely stands unequivocally.
"I made a blue, I apologised accordingly at the first opportunity to the Seven viewers where I made the blue."
3AW general manager Shane Healy apologised on behalf of the station.
"Even though these comments weren't made on 3AW … we do take this extremely seriously," Healy said.
"We just want to let our listeners know that we'll be talking to Brian tomorrow and we'll be certainly commending to him some quite serious counselling."
Earlier on Sunday, Hamish McLachlan - the host of Seven's AFL Game Day - said Taylor, who will undergo counselling, is "kicking himself".
"During last night's pre-game, Brian Taylor offended a lot of people, especially Harry Taylor and his family and teammates and friends," McLachlan said on Sunday.
"Without reservation he apologised. He's kicking himself.
"He made a really bad error of judgement.
"Discrimination is not acceptable and it won't be tolerated here.
"We recover from these problems through education and awareness.
"BT will be working with Seven and undergoing some education and counselling in this area.
"We apologise, he apologises, and it was a very bad moment last night on TV."
Taylor said on Sunday morning that while he was not offended by Taylor's slur, the fact remained that such language was completely unacceptable.
“He’s apologised now and we accept the apology, and I certainly accept the apology,” Taylor said at Geelong's Auskick clinic.
“Our club respects diversity in our game and in our society and I know all of our players are very big on that and I don’t think those things should be said in our game but also in society.”
Taylor said on Sunday morning that while he was not offended by Taylor's slur, the fact remained that such language was completely unacceptable.
“He’s apologised now and we accept the apology, and I certainly accept the apology,” Taylor said at Geelong's Auskick clinic.
“Our club respects diversity in our game and in our society and I know all of our players are very big on that and I don’t think those things should be said in our game but also in society.”
Brian Taylor was part of Seven's pre-game coverage on Saturday night.
After watching footage of the Geelong defender being chaired off the field following his 150th match last week, the Seven commentator described the incident as "crap".
"I've just seen that crap from Harry. He's a big poofter," Taylor told viewers.
"I mean, give them this one Harry," Taylor added, making a rude gesture.
"You can't be doing the old royal wave. Next thing you'll have your mum and dad out there."
Taylor apologised during the half-time break.
"I said something that I regret and I sincerely apologise in regard to Harry Taylor and anyone and particularly Harry and any of his friends that were offended by the remark," Taylor said.
Seven's Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin said in a statement: "Comments such as those made last night are unacceptable and should not and will not be tolerated.
"Brian has been censured, and will be supported through counselling and education to ensure this mistake will never happen again."
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said on Sunday the League's manager for broadcasting and scheduling, Simon Lethlean, contacted Martin soon after Taylor's comments and expressed the AFL's view that his comments "were completely inappropriate, needed to be withdrawn and an apology issued".
Martin told the AFL that process was already underway.
Keane said the AFL had no plans to take any further action against Taylor.
- with staff writers
- with staff writers
