Eddie McGuire has been slammed by the Sydney Swans for ignorance and a lack of empathy, after his comments about the coin toss of their number one ticket holder, double amputee Cynthia Banham.
Journalist, author, solicitor and teacher Banham, who lost both her legs in a 2007 plane crash in Indonesia which killed 21 people, performed the pre-match ritual before Friday's SCG fixture between Sydney and Adelaide.
She held on to her walking stick and appeared to struggle while fulfilling the duty.
Cynthia Banham tossing the coin before the SCG match. Source: Fox Footy
Fox Footy personality and Collingwood president McGuire clearly wasn't aware of Banham's background when he made his comments.
'I think we should introduce a $5000 fine to anybody who's tossing the coin and can't do it properly," McGuire said on Fox Footy.
"Every week, we have someone dropping it on their foot. Come on, toss it up properly, for goodness sake.
"Practise in the week, you know you're going to do it. It can't be that hard can it, guys?"
Cynthia Banham, center, one of the victims of Indonesia's jetliner fire, is taken by doctors and hospital staff as she leaves enroute for Melbourne. Source: AAP
McGuire apologised unreservedly at halftime to Banham, her family friends, Swans supporters and viewers.
“It had nothing to do with Cynthia Banham, who was the coin tosser tonight at the SCG and has a disability,” he said.
“I just want to apologise if this was communicated in the wrong way, 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 who took it that way. My apologies there, for that comment.”
The Swans issued a statement after the SCG clash won by the Crows.
"The Sydney Swans are incredibly disappointed by inappropriate comments made tonight by Eddie McGuire,' it said.
"The comments show not only a lack of empathy, but also ignorance.
"Cynthia Banham is a passionate Sydney Swans member, our number one ticket holder, and a courageous woman who is an inspiration to all of us at the club."
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