A "Russian" skit performed by former footballer Shane Crawford on the AFL Footy Show has sparked outrage among Australia's Ukranian community.
Crawford appeared on Wednesday's show wearing Cossack clothing and saying, "I've been practising my Russian."
Australian Federation Of Ukrainian Organisations chairman Stefan Romaniw slammed the segment and demanded an apology from the Nine Network.
"AFUO has formally complained to Channel 9 Footy Show (about) Shane Crawford’s cardinal mistake misrepresenting Ukrainian Cossack Bros as Russian," Mr Romaniw wrote on Facebook.
“The AFUO has demanded an apology on next week’s show. The AFUO calls on community members to call Channel 9 and demand the same.”
Mr Romaniw told SBS News the program's lack of research "offended" Australia's Ukranian community."I know some people say don't mix sport and politics, but this is not mixing sport and politics. This is just being correct. I think it is up to the Footy Show to say, 'look we made a mistake we apologise'," Mr Romaniw said.
"The (Cossack) dancers are offended ... they have performed internationally and spread Ukranian culture and they are offended because they have been labelled as Russians."
Russia and Ukraine have been in a tense military standoff since early 2014.
The Association Of Ukrainians In Victoria has also complained to the network, according to the Herald Sun.
A Nine Network spokesperson told SBS News: "Any complaints lodged with Nine will of course be considered and responded to in the usual course."
