A storm of outrage has erupted over a “vile” joke made about the female host of a football podcast.
An unofficial Carlton supporters podcast on Tuesday posted a video where host Rocco Stagnitti appeared to joke he would “punch the f*** out of” female Carlton supporter group “The Besties” if they were to be involved in a fight.
The Besties is a popular unofficial Carlton fan podcast designed to engage young female footy supporters.
Besties co-founder Tori Saros on Thursday responded to the comments made by Stagnitti on The Jumper Punch podcast.
“For those who are not already aware Carlton Respects is Carlton’s flagship community initiative which helps with the promotion of gender equality for the prevention of violence against women,” she said.
You can view the full comments in the video player above.
“And for the next two weeks and beyond as we have over the past three years we will continue to use our platform to highlight this and work alongside Carlton to do our part.
“This isn’t the first time and I’m sure it’s not going to be the last, but this page in particular keeps using us in their content in a negative way for whatever reason, but this is where we draw the line.
“We don’t mind if you don’t like us. We don’t mind if you don’t like our content. We understand it isn’t for everyone. I think it’s one thing that it’s not even opposition supporters. These are fellow Carlton fans talking about us like this.
“I can’t believe I have to say it, but if you have nothing nice to say, learn to say nothing at all.”
The comments made towards The Besties group was made as part of a conversation where the panel of four Carlton fans on The Jumper Punch joked about hypothetical charity boxing fights with other Carlton fan podcasts and content creators.
The comment comes as Carlton prepares for its annual Carlton Respects round which supports the club’s community initiative to build awareness, funds and action towards gender equality programs.
The Carlton Respects initiative is marking the 10-year anniversary of the program when the club faces Geelong on May 29 where players will wear orange socks and a specially designed guernsey.
Carlton Respects’ designated Instagram account was one of many to denounce the comments made on The Jumper Punch.
“This is not ok. We’re sorry to see this Besties,” the organisation commented on The Besties’ page.
Australian basketball broadcaster Kelsey Browne also commented: “This is vile but sadly we’re not surprised. Soooo proud of you for speaking up @torisaros”.
The Carlton Cheer Squad commented: “It takes an especially little pathetic man to make a joke like this… it takes an equally little pathetic man to laugh at it”.
Australian sports journalist Marnie Vinall wrote: “The work you do is so amazing and important and the way you go about it just incredible.
“My jaw is actually on the floor after seeing this clip. Disgusting abhorrent behaviour. God, I’m so sorry. What the actual f***”.
Vinall also posted on X: “I’m so mad. What the actual. I’m so sorry, this is so abhorrent. Those men should be so ashamed”.
There have been calls online for people involved in The Jumper Punch stream to have their memberships revoked if they are signed up as a Carlton member.
Code Sports reports Carlton’s membership department is looking into the matter.
The four hour stream of The Jumper Punch episode has not been removed from YouTube.
Stagnitti has responded to the outrage with a message shared on Instagram on Thursday.
“Hi everyone. As you know I’m Rocco from The Jumper Punch,” he said.
“A few nights ago a comment was made by me on our show. I did not make this comment with any intention of wanting to really punch anyone. We were simply talking about a charity boxing night which we have spoken about on numerous shows, and we were simply talking about who we could beat and who we couldn’t.
“Although my intentions were not malicious, I completely acknowledge that what I said promoted the wrong message and made many feel uncomfortable.
“This is a position I would never want to put anyone in, but more importantly women. For that, I am sorry and I apologise to everyone that was affected by my comments.
“This was a light hearted discussion about a charity boxing night to raise money as a community of Carlton content creators and was never meant to be a serious threat to anybody.
“Again, I apologise to The Besties and everyone else effected.”
