Tom Morris, who was on the receiving end of Bulldogs’ coach, Luke Beveridge’s press conference spray on Wednesday night, has been stood down by Fox Footy after past messages and clips were leaked in which the reporter makes offensive comments.
Yesterday, an audio clip in which Morris (featured image) makes misogynistic comments about a female coworker spread online, as well as a video in which he makes disparaging comments about Asian people, black people, and gay people.
Screenshots from a private WhatsApp group – from which the aforementioned videos originate – also circulated yesterday.
Fox Sports announced its decision in a public statement released last night, saying, “Fox Sports has stood down a reporter pending an investigation regarding an inappropriate audio recording.
“While it is not appropriate to comment further, Fox Sports is committed to a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.”
According to Daily Mail Australia, the messages and clips were leaked by a member of the WhatsApp group, who revealed he’d sent them to a friend and didn’t expect such wide circulation to follow.
“I’m obviously willing to cop it from you boys re this,” the friend wrote in the group chat yesterday, according to screenshots obtained by Daily Mail Australia.
“I honestly didn’t expect a message to one mate to circulate like this but I’ve well and truly learnt my lesson. It’s no excuse – I apologise.”
This comes less than two days after his press conference admonishment at the hands of Western Bulldogs’ coach, Luke Beveridge, following Wednesday night’s Grand Final rematch went viral.
Luke Beveridge has issued an apology after last night's press conference.
(via: @westernbulldogs) pic.twitter.com/MeabEFc6hQ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 17, 2022
Beveridge – who called Morris an “embarrassment” and a “gutter journalist” before storming out of the press conference – yesterday posted a video on the Bulldogs’ social media apologising to the AFL community, and to Morris.
“I have reflected on my comments and actions from the post-game press conference after last night’s game and acknowledge that my exchange with journalist Tom Morris overstepped the mark,” said Beveridge.
“I want to apologise for my behaviour. I want to apologise to Tom Morris and all those present last night and to our members, supporters, partners and the wider football community.
“I recognised that what I did was not OK. It was not representative of our club culture, which is so special and means so much to me.
“While I was highly emotional in the moments after a difficult loss, it is no excuse to let those emotions spill over and get the better of me.”
Despite Beveridge’s apology, and Morris being stood down, the Western Bulldogs are still reportedly investigating the source of the round 1 team selection leak – which Morris revealed two days before the season opening match, much to Beveridge’s chagrin.
Bulldogs CEO, Ameet Bain, told 3AW Sportsday on Thursday the club was still hoping to learn how Lachie Hunter’s omission from Wednesday night’s game was leaked so early.
“That is something that we clearly need to run our attention to and have been frankly for the past few days,” Bains said.
