Eddie McGuire forced to apologise after scolding a woman who lost both her legs in a plane crash

Eddie McGuire has been forced to apologise after making disparaging comments about a double amputee during the coin toss at an AFL match.

Former journalist Cynthia Banham, who lost both her legs during a plane crash, struggled to balance as she tossed the coin at the Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows match at the SCG on Friday. 

McGuire, who was on the panel of Friday Night Footy, was quick to scold the Swans’ number one ticket holder, who was holding a walking stick in one hand and the coin in the other as she performed the toss. 

Former journalist Cynthia Banham (pictured centre), who lost both her legs after a plane crash, was scolded by McGuire while tossing the coin 

‘I think we should issue a $5,000 fine for anybody who is tossing the coin and can’t do it properly,’ McGuire said.

‘Every week we have someone dropping it on their foot. Come on, toss it up properly for goodness sake. Practice in the week, you know you’re going to do it. It can’t be that hard can it guys, seriously,’ he commented.

Ms Banham, who is a Sydney Swans ambassador, had both her legs amputated after the 2007 Yogjakarta plane crash that killed 21 people, including five Australians. 

She was in Indonesia covering the visit by former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, when she caught the doomed flight from Jakarta.

She was covering the visit by former Australian foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer to Indonesia in 2007 (pictured with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd)

She was covering the visit by former Australian foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer to Indonesia in 2007 (pictured with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd)

Cynthia Banham (pictured) struggled to balance as she tossed the coin at the Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows AFL match on Friday

Cynthia Banham (pictured) struggled to balance as she tossed the coin at the Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows AFL match on Friday

Eddie McGuire’s gaffes 

2010 –  He made allusions about the sexuality of male figure skaters during the Winter Olympics 

2013 – McGuire made comments suggesting footballer Adam Goodes should be used to promote a King Kong musical 

2015 – He called sports minister John Eren a ‘soccer-loving, Turkish-born Mussie’.

2016 – He joked about drowning journalist  Caroline Wilson at the Big Freeze (an event to raise money for motor neurone disease)

Ms Banham broke her back and suffered burns to 60 per cent of her body. An infection which then spread meant she had to amputate both her legs. 

In the years since the tragic accident, the former journalist achieved a Doctor of Philosophy and a Masters in International Affairs. 

McGuire was forced to apologise at half time for the comments he made. 

‘Before the match I made some comments about how we do the coin toss,’ he said.

‘It had nothing to do with Cynthia Banham, who was the coin tosser tonight at the SCG who has a disability. I just want to apologise if this was communicated in the wrong way. 

Ms Banham (pictured) had to have both her legs amputated  after the 2007 Yogyakarta plane crash

Ms Banham (pictured) had to have both her legs amputated  after the 2007 Yogyakarta plane crash 

The flight which departed from Jakarta and was on its way to Yogyakarta when it crashed and killed 21 people (pictured is the plane)

The flight which departed from Jakarta and was on its way to Yogyakarta when it crashed and killed 21 people (pictured is the plane)

‘I did not mean to offend anyone, especially Cynthia, and I apologise unreservedly to her, her family and friends, Swans supporters and anybody watching tonight,’ McGuire said.   

McGuire was slammed by Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham, who told AFL.com.au: ‘His comments were immensely disappointing and inappropriate.’

‘Cynthia is an amazing woman. Courageous, humble and inspiring. She does not deserve to be spoken about on national television in that way. No one does.  

‘Eddie needs to focus less on his too frequent sincere apologies and more on tolerance and respect. Cynthia has endured significant hardship in her life and her strength shines through. She loves the Sydney Swans. We love her,’ Mr Pridham said.  

Social media users also criticised the television host for his unreserved comments about a ‘courageous woman.’ 

Journalist Erin Riley said Eddie McGuire mocked Cynthia Banham for her coin tossing skills despite surviving the Yogyakarta place crash

Journalist Erin Riley said Eddie McGuire mocked Cynthia Banham for her coin tossing skills despite surviving the Yogyakarta place crash

McGuire said: 'I think we should issue a $5000 fine for anybody who is tossing the coin and can't do it properly'

McGuire said: ‘I think we should issue a $5000 fine for anybody who is tossing the coin and can’t do it properly’

‘Cynthia Banham, journalist and scholar, who survived the Yogyakarta plane crash, who is an amputee, tossed the coin at the Swans game tonight. Eddie McGuire mocked her coin tossing skills,’ journalist Erin Riley said. 

‘Eddie McGuire can give himself a $5,000 fine with the money going to the charity of Cynthia Banham’s choice after his comments tonight,’ another person said. 

One commented: ‘Cynthia Banham is a friend and the most courageous person I know. Eddie McGuire you are an ignorant disgrace – and not for the first time.’ 

‘Eddie McGuire ridiculous comments towards a plane crash survivor’s coin toss. McGuire soon apologised ‘unreservedly’ for the comments. But why make them in the first place? So Unnecessary!,’ a person questioned.       

Social media users criticised McGuire for the comments he made and some called him a disgrace

Social media users criticised McGuire for the comments he made and some called him a disgrace 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk