Fox Sports presenter Megan Barnard has broken her silence after her former colleague Tom Morris was sacked for a disgraceful video in which he revealed her sexuality.
Morris was fired last Friday after he referred to Barnard’s sexual orientation in a Whatsapp conversation that went viral.
A Fox Sports internal investigation determined he ‘crossed a line’ when he referred to Barnard in extremely crude terms Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish.
Morris issued a grovelling apology for those comments, and also for a separate video in which he made disparaging comments about women, Asians, black people and homosexuals.
On Sunday Barnard posted a message to Instagram thanking people for their support throughout her ordeal and criticising Morris without mentioning him by name.
Fox Sports presenter Megan Barnard (pictured) has made a classy response after her sexuality was revealed by Tom Morris in a disgraceful Whatsapp conversation
Barnard (pictured working for Fox Sports) said the process of coming out ‘should never be taken out of a person’s hands’
‘Fortunately, I am at a place in my life where I am comfortable with who I am and I can handle something deeply personal becoming public,’ she began.
‘But had this happened as recently as a few years ago, it would not have been the case.
‘Coming out is a process and should never be taken out of someone’s hands. Nor should anyone be spoken about in such a degrading manner.’
She finished by writing, ‘I hope I can be a catalyst for change in not just the sports industry, but every industry.’
The post was liked by women’s cricket superstar Ellyse Perry, who responded, ‘Lots of love for you and everything you do.’
Morris issued a grovelling apology for his comments on Friday night after he’d been dismissed.
Tom Morris made a grovelling apology for his comments about Barnard after he was sacked by Fox Sports last Friday
Morris’s apology also covered a separate video in which he made disparaging comments about women, Asians, black people and homosexuals
‘I would like to unconditionally apologise to everyone for my disgusting and disgraceful comments, which became public yesterday,’ he wrote.
‘I am especially sorry to the person involved. No one should ever, in any place, or at any time, be spoken about in that way.
‘I am deeply ashamed at my behaviour. My comments were hurtful to many and I will now take the time to listen, learn and work to improve myself, ensuring that I become a better person. I am truly sorry to everyone.’
Barnard (pictured left while working for Fox Sports) said that while she handled the ordeal well, it might have been a very different story had it happened to her a few years ago
Fox Sports Executive Director Steve Crawley released a statement on Friday which said Morris’ ‘unacceptable’ comments would not be tolerated.
The clips, which are understood to have been recorded late last year, were originally shared in a private WhatsApp group before they were leaked on Thursday afternoon.
‘To the lads on tier 4, I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not a woman, I’m not gay. So don’t treat me like sh*t,’ he said in the clip.
‘I’m a man with a heart and I’ve got feelings.’
Barnard’s classy response came shortly after fellow Fox Sports presenter Kelli Underwood said she felt ‘sick to the stomach’ and ‘angry’ after learning of Morris’s comments about Barnard.
In an article for Codesports, Underwood revealed she first met Barnard six years ago and told her she was living with her female partner.
Underwood also told Sunday morning’s edition of ABC TV’s Offsiders program – which she hosts – that she is proud of the way Fox Sports handled the scandal.
‘The fact that the network’s biggest star, Garry Lyon, said he wanted to say something to say, “This is not OK”. They are significant because they help change the culture,’ she said.
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