Sunrise host David Koch has apologised for his “clumsily put” slavery comments when talking about athlete Usain Bolt on yesterday’s show.
The incident occurred when the panel was talking about Bolt leaving the Central Coast Mariners to play for Malta.
Speaking on the move, Koch said: “So the Mariners sell him for money, they make a lot of money out of it?”
Sports reporter Mark Beretta replied: “It’s a win-win: You keep him, great. You sell him, so be it. That’s the tough world of professional football.
Koch responded: “Who said slavery was over — anyway. No,”
https://youtu.be/j6yXSekSL1g
The host was quick to realise his mistake, taking to Twitter to apologise and clarify the statement.
He wrote: “On Sunrise we were talking about how good it is for Bolt and the Mariners at news he was getting offers from European clubs.
“Basically the use of the word slavery is a reference I’ve used to defend players who want to trade clubs or change jobs in Sport… that you can’t keep them… it’s a free world. There’s no slavery any more. People have rights.
“I admit it was clumsily put this morning when talking about Bolt shifting clubs so early and I should have explained it better.”
1/2 On @sunriseon7 this We were talking about how good it is for Bolt and the Mariners at news he was getting offers from European clubs.
Basically the use of the word slavery is a reference I’ve used to defend players who want to trade clubs or change jobs in Sport…— David Koch (@kochie_online) October 16, 2018
2/2 that you can’t keep them… it’s a free world. There’s no slavery any more. People have rights.
I admit it was clumsily put this morning when talking about Bolt shifting clubs so early and I should have explained it better.— David Koch (@kochie_online) October 16, 2018
Unsurprisingly, social media users were less than impressed by the comments and apology.
https://twitter.com/matttburke/status/1052025673601056769
https://twitter.com/rob_tamworth/status/1052052555730042880
you suck kochie
— matt (@mattDCLXVI) October 16, 2018
B&T has contact Seven for comment.
