SPORT

Fox Sport reporter Tom Morris SACKED following leaked WhatsApp audio chats

March 18, 2022

[ad_1]

Tom Morris will not return to Fox Sports after an internal investigation determined he ‘crossed a line’ in inappropriate WhatsApp conversations about a colleague

Tom Morris has issued a groveling apology after it was revealed he will not return to Fox Sports after an internal investigation determined he ‘crossed a line’ in inappropriate WhatsApp conversations about a colleague.

A second leaked clip heard Morris make disparaging comments about women, Asians, black people and homosexuals.

‘To the lads on tier 4, I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not a woman, I’m not gay. So don’t treat me like shit,’ he said in the second audio.

‘I’m a man with a heart and I’ve got feelings.’

Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish the contents of an earlier leaked conversation regarding a colleague.

Mr Morris turned to Twitter to apologise for his ‘disgusting’ comments.

‘I would like to unconditionally apologise to everyone for my disgusting and disgraceful comments, which became public yesterday.’ he wrote.

Tom Morris turned to Twitter to say sorry for his comments that were leaked on Thursday following a blow up with Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge

‘I am especially sorry to the person involved. No one should ever, in any place, or at any time, be spoken about in the way

‘I am deeply ashamed at my behaviour. My comments were hurtful to many and I will now take the time to listen, learn and work to improve myself, ensuring that I become a better person. I am truly sorry to everyone.’

Fox Sports Executive Director Steve Crawley released a statement on Friday which said the ‘unacceptable’ comments he made would not be tolerated.

The clips, which are understood to have been recorded late last year, were originally shared in a private WhatsApp group before they were leaked on Thursday afternoon.

Morris was immediately stood down from his post as a Fox Sports reporter pending an internal investigation, which was concluded by Friday afternoon.

‘Our culture at Fox Sports is based on a respectful, inclusive environment and a fair go for all,’ Mr Crawley said.

‘While Tom’s journalism has made a valuable contribution to Fox Sports over the past seven years, the message we became aware of yesterday crossed the line. It was unacceptable.

‘We have the best in the business working at Fox Sports. We love what we do, and we have a reputation as a great place to work. The bottom line is we are committed to a work environment where everyone can come to work in the knowledge they are safe, respected and valued. We have zero-tolerance for anything less than that.’

Fox Footy journalist Tom Morris (pictured) was immediately stood down from his post as a sport reporter pending an internal investigation, which was concluded by Friday afternoon

The audio and video clips went viral within an hour of being shared on social media.

AFL boss Gil McLachlan also condemned the statements Morris made on Friday afternoon, describing them as ‘clearly unacceptable’.

‘I’ve just seen them in written form and clearly the comments from my reading of them were clearly unacceptable and Fox Sports have taken action,’ McLachlan said on Friday.

In the WhatsApp chat, several members of the conversation were making comments about a female colleague of Morris.

One of the members of the chat later revealed he was responsible for the audio clip becoming public after he sent the exchange to another mate.

He said his friend then shared the recording with several others, before one posted it online.

‘I’m obviously willing to cop it from you boys re this,’ the friend wrote to the WhatsApp group on Thursday night, 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.’

Fox Sports Executive Director Steve Crawley released a statement on Friday which said the ‘unacceptable’ comments Morris made would not be tolerated

This is the WhatsApp message a friend of Morris’s sent admitting that he leaked the audio

The leaked footage and audio came less than 24 hours after Morris was on the receiving end of a stunning outburst by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge in his press conference after the side’s loss to Melbourne on Wednesday night.

In an all-time verbal spray, Beveridge berated Morris for an accurate report about Bulldogs premiership midfielder Lachie Hunter being dropped for the season opener.

After the extraordinary three-minute tirade, in which he labelled Morris a ‘gutter journalist’, Beveridge stormed out of his media conference.

Beveridge has issued an official apology to Morris after his stunning tirade

‘You’ve got the nerve to ask me a question and even be here,’ Beveridge responded to Morris’ question about the pre-game drama.

‘You’ve been preying on us and causing turmoil within our football club by declaring our team well before it needs to be declared.

‘Is that the gutter journalist you want to be?’

Beveridge released an apology on Thursday afternoon, saying he ‘overstepped’ in his exchange with Morris.

The Bulldogs also agreed to donate $20,000 to youth mental health organisation Orygen after discussions between the AFL and senior club officials.

AFL boss Gil McLachlan (pictured) also condemned the statements Morris made on Friday afternoon, describing them as ‘clearly unacceptable’

Beveridge apologises for post-game tirade

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has apologised for his stunning outburst at a journalist during a post-game press conference.

Beveridge berated Fox Sports’ Tom Morris for an accurate report about Bulldogs premiership midfielder Lachie Hunter being dropped for the season opener.

After the extraordinary three-minute tirade, in which he labelled Morris a ‘gutter journalist’, Beveridge stormed out of his media conference on Wednesday night.

But after a day of the fiery exchange overshadowing the AFL’s season-opener, which Melbourne won by 26 points, the Bulldogs and Beveridge offered a written apology.

‘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,’ Beveridge said.

‘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.’

During the tirade, Beveridge claimed the reporter had caused tumult at the club.

The Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership coach said Morris wasn’t welcome at the press conference and Beveridge attempted, unsuccessfully, to have him removed.

‘You’ve got the nerve to ask me a question and even be here,’ Beveridge responded to a question from Morris about the pre-game saga around Hunter.

‘You’ve been preying on us and causing turmoil within our football club by declaring our team well before it needs to be declared.

‘Is that the gutter journalist you want to be?

The press conference came to an end so abruptly Beveridge did not even address the fitness of superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli, who was clearly troubled by an ankle injury for most of the second half.

‘All the other stuff was according to plan right from the Sunday and somehow you’ve found out about that again,’ Beveridge said to Morris.

‘We’ve got to get to the bottom of this, obviously we need to put our hand up to say there’s some leakage going on.’

Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler said the club could not condone Beveridge’s behaviour.

‘Luke also understands that his conduct in the press conference was not reflective of the values of the Western Bulldogs and has shone a negative light on the club,’ she said.

‘Everyone is entitled to a respectful workplace and we acknowledge the important and sometimes difficult job the football media have to do.

‘Luke is a man of strong integrity who leads with heart and soul, caring deeply for everyone at the Western Bulldogs.

‘His passion crossed a line last night and he is aware of that.’

The club has agreed with the AFL to donate $20,000 to youth mental health charity.

Hunter was named in the Bulldogs’ team on Tuesday night but was demoted to medical sub an hour before Wednesday night’s contest at the MCG.

However, he earned a reprieve into the starting-22 when Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen suffered an injury during the warm-up.

The report about Hunter ran on Fox Footy on Monday night, with Beveridge bristling at any questions about his midfielder at his pre-game press conference on Tuesday.

The saga took another twist on Thursday when Morris was stood down by Fox Sports, on a separate matter.

Morris’ employers took the action in the wake of two social media posts that emerged on Thursday and are unrelated to his confrontation with Beveridge.

‘Fox Sports has stood down a reporter pending an investigation regarding an inappropriate audio recording,’ the company said in a statement.

‘While it is not appropriate to comment further, Fox Sports is committed to a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.’

[ad_2]

Source link

Have something to say? Leave a comment: