Dave Hughes blasts AFL management for allowing matches to go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic – as other sporting codes shut down completely
Comedian Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes has condemned the AFL‘s decision to continue matches during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Richmond and Carlton faced off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where footy crowds have been banned to prevent the spread of the virus.
Dave tweeted that same evening that AFL management weren’t showing enough concern for the players’ health by allowing the season to go ahead.
‘All other world sport has shut down!’ Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes condemned the AFL’s decision to continue matches amid the coronavirus pandemic in a series of tweets on Thursday.
‘Shelve it please @AFL. It’s ok to admit you were wrong,’ he wrote.
‘All organised sport, at all levels, all around the world, has been cancelled because of health advice but somehow AFL, NRL and A-League are different,’ he added.
Dave later tweeted: ‘It’s not about what the players want. It’s not about their health. They are young and fit. It’s about their grandparents.
On the field: This comes after game between Richmond and Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground went ahead in an empty stadium amid coronavirus fears (pictured)
Concerned fan: Dave posted a series of Twitter posts that same evening hitting out at the code for the lack of concern for the players’ health
‘Absolutely extraordinary that AFL, NRL and A-League are flying large groups of people around Australia this weekend. All other world sport is shut down.’
Dave also lashed out at the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for not shutting down Melbourne’s Crown Casino.
‘I hear you think Crown Casino pokies are an essential service and can stay operating even though every small independently run venue over 100 people has to shut? Please tell us you’re not being serious?’ he tweeted.
‘Please tell us you’re not being serious?’: Hughesy also lashed out at the Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews for not shutting down Melbourne’s Crown Casino
A hit at home: Despite the health concerns for the players, the Richmond and Carlton game was a ratings winner for Channel Seven. A national average audience 1.24 million tuned in to watch the game
Despite the controversy surrounding the AFL season, the Richmond and Carlton game was a ratings winner for Channel Seven.
A national average audience 1.24 million tuned in, according to the Herald Sun.
As of Friday, there are 756 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including seven deaths.
Pandemic: As of Friday, there are 756 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including seven deaths
