Eddie McGuire stands down after scolding double amputee for ‘not tossing the coin properly’

Eddie McGuire has announced he will stand down from his commentary duties 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 in a plan 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 as she performed the coin toss.

‘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.’ 

Eddie McGuire (pictured) has announced he will stand down from his commentary duties after making disparaging comments about a double amputee during the coin toss at an AFL match. 

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

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

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

He was then forced to issue an on-air apology during half-time for the comments he made and was slammed by both the Swans and AFL fans for the gaffe.

On Saturday McGuire released a statement announcing he will be standing down from his commentary duties for the Essendon and St Kilda game.

‘Out of respect for Cynthia Banham and the Sydney Swans, I have requested not to call today’s game between Essendon and St Kilda,’ the statement read. 

‘I am deeply sorry and regretful for the comments I made last night about the coin tossing system. I should never have spoken without properly viewing the footage. 

‘I unreservedly apologise to Cynthia, her family and the Sydney Football Club for the pain and hurt that my comments have caused.’ 

McGuire said he had been left ‘devastated’ by the mistake. 

‘The Swans say it was an ignorant comment. I am guilty of ignorance.’

‘I didn’t see the lead up to the toss and had no knowledge of who it was.

‘I saw out of the corner of my eye the coin fly out and was having a laugh at coin tossing in general.

‘Once I realised who and what it was I was totally devastated and apologetic.

‘I have apologised publicly and privately.’ 

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

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

According to the Herald Sun, McGuire’s decision was supported by Fox Sports who also expressed their sincere apology over the incident. 

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, a Sydney Swans ambassador, struggled to balance as she had a walking stick in one hand and the coin in the other as she performed the toss. 

Ms Banham 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.

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.  

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)

McGuire made an apology during half time for the comments he made about the coin toss. 

‘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,’ he said.

‘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 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.  

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

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 

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

‘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.       

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