Former Australian basketball star Andrew Bogut has defended soccer, noting that all sporting codes have had their problems at times.
The former NBA champion spoke to Sky News Australia just days after ugly scenes at the A-League’s Melbourne derby made national headlines.
Mr. Bogut was quick to condemn the actions of fans who invaded the pitch and assaulted the Melbourne City goalkeeper but said he did not think it was a reason to disparage the sport.
“I’m not excusing what happened in football, but it does become a little too much when other codes are throwing rocks at other codes when they have [their own] problems,” Mr. Bogut said.
“Whenever you have fans cross the barriers onto the field – usually its for streaking in Australia, but when they go to strike a blow on a player that’s where I draw the line.”
“I think they deserve their punishment, whatever is coming to them,” Mr. Bogut said
“But you also have to remember that every sport has had different issues along the way, on and off the field.”
“So I’m cognizant not to completely disparage soccer like a lot of people are.”
When Sky News Australia’s Rita Panahi asked about the presence of flares, the host of the Rogue Bogues podcast said they were not unique to soccer but seemed to just be part of the culture of the sport.
“Look, it’s a part of the sport. I’ve been to games in Croatia and Greece – and yes Rita, they have brought them inside to basketball games, much to your surprise,” Mr. Bogut said
“I’m not defending it … but on the flip side I also don’t think the people doing it should get life in jail, if you know what I mean.”
Responding to George Donikian’s claim that mothers might be sneaking flares into the stadium for their sons, Mr. Bogut said more could be done, but it can’t be stopped all the time.
“The security that we have I think can definitely do a better job checking things, but if it’s the mums smuggling it in prams under their babies, what are you going to do?,” Mr. Bogut joked.
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