A cricket supporter who made a Nazi salute and mouthed ‘white power’ during the Melbourne derby says it was a poor attempt at humour.
Brendan McMahon, a Melbourne Renegades fan, raised his arm and mouthed ‘white power’ as he saluted a boundary scored by Cameron White at the MCG on Saturday night.
The father, a foundation member of the Renegades, has since written to the franchise, saying he ‘unreservedly’ apologises and any racist undertone was accidental.
‘This is a highly embarrassing situation not only for myself, and those who I may have offended, but also the Renegades brand,’ Mr McMahon said in a statement through Cricket Australia.
‘The gesture itself certainly highlighted just how poor my decision and choice of humour was.’
Brendan McMahon, a Melbourne Renegades fan, raised his arm and mouthed ‘white power’ as he saluted a boundary scored by Cameron White at the MCG on Saturday night
The gesture, captured by television cameras, is associated with white supremacists, such as members of the Ku Klux Klan.
He said he was deeply embarrassed, describing the ‘poor attempt at humour’ as a ‘pun’, playing off the name of the Renegades’ star batsman.
‘This was purely a pun directed at Cameron White who just hit a boundary. It was in no way a deliberate reference or show of support to a racist group,’ he said.
‘I understand that casual racism is a very serious matter and can have far reaching consequences.’
Cricket Australia issued him a formal warning but stopped short of banning him from attending games. The governing body referred the issue to local police.
‘It was in no way a deliberate reference or show of support to a racist group. The gesture itself certainly highlighted just how poor my decision and choice of humour was’ Mr McMahon said
CA has attempted to crack down on racial vilification and anti-social behaviour in recent years.
Last summer, South Africa batsman Hashim Amla reported an offensive message that was displayed on the fence during the Hobart Test.
CA and police identified the man responsible for it with the help of witnesses and CCTV.
He was barred from attending any official cricket match in the country for three years.