Sydney Swans apologise for Bondi tribute speech omitting mention of Jewish Community

The Sydney Swans have apologised for removing mention of the Jewish community from their pre-game Bondi tribute ahead of the AFL season opener against Carlton, saying it was done for “inclusivity”.

On March 5, Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich read a tribute to the victims of the Bondi mass shooting that tragically took 15 lives.

However, it was revealed that last-minute changes were made to the speech, which is believed to have scratched out a line that said: “we stand with the Jewish community.”

The revelation prompted an outpouring of anger and frustration with Federal Senator James Paterson on Monday morning, calling on the anti-Semitism Royal Commission to investigate the AFL and seek answers as to why it was removed.

Following the senator’s calls, the club released an official statement of their own apologising and saying they take “full responsibility”, adding there was no league directive.

“The Sydney Swans initiated a pre-game Bondi Tribute to honour the lives lost in the terror attack and to stand with the Jewish Community,” the Swans said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

“As we mentioned on Saturday night, in statements from both our Chairman and CEO, we were made aware that our on-field tribute neglected to specifically name the Jewish Community.

“We apologised for this omission and have taken full responsibility for it.

“The tribute was a heartfelt attempt to show compassion to everyone impacted by the terrible events on 14 December, and most of all the Jewish Community.

“As we stated the day after the attack, our football club stands with the Jewish Community.

“There was no directive or instruction from the AFL to remove or change the reference to the Jewish Community in the script.

“That script change was made within our Club in a genuine effort to use inclusive language by referring to the ‘whole community’. Noting that the focus of the script was to recognise those people present on field on the night. This included members of the Jewish Community, community heroes and first responders.

“We acknowledge that was an error of judgement and again we apologise.”