Disabled footy fans are suing Fox Sports and Channel Seven for ruining Richmond Carlton AFL game at MCG
Disabled footy fans are suing Fox Sports and Channel Seven for taking the only available wheelchair spaces at the MCG, preventing them from seeing the first game of the year
- Disabled fan posted pictures of MCG
- Wheelchair space is dominated by broadcasters
- Fans were outraged because men’s view was blocked
Channel Seven and Fox Sports have been slammed by furious footy fans who couldn’t watch the first game of the AFL season because the broadcasters took the only wheelchair seat on one level of the MCG.
James Williams and another wheelchair-bound man were shown with their view of the action during Thursday night’s game between Richmond and Carlton, completely blocked after AFL TV rights holders moved into the area.
An irate Williams posted the footage on Twitter, writing: ‘This is sadly the reality that the use of a wheelchair is required to get to the footy.
‘@FOXFOOTY & @7Sport occupy the only wheelchair spaces available on Level 4 at the @MCG.
“Do better @AFL – we need you to do better.”
The Channel Seven commentary panel is visible in the background of the photo posted by James Williams (right) on Thursday evening from ‘the only wheelchair space’ on level four of the MCG
Williams’ other photo shows the Fox Sports panel, showing the view completely blocked for anyone in a wheelchair
The footage showed both the Seven and Fox commentary panels and cameramen in the background, as well as several able-bodied onlookers who appeared to be unaffiliated with the broadcasters.
Williams’ post enraged footy fans.
‘What a shame. Shameful!’ wrote one commenter.
‘Are you joking?? This is an absolute disgrace from @FOXFOOTY!!!’ said another fan.
“@FOXFOOTY you have comment boxes and an entire press pack wing to use. Unacceptable,” added another.
The Twitter post outraged footy fans, with several broadcasters labeling the broadcasters ‘a disgrace’ after seeing the footage
The two men seemed to have no hope of action in the season opener (pictured) unless they moved to a different part of the ground
“The lack of humanity it takes to look at the handicapped spaces and think ‘f**k it, let’s use them’ is astonishing,” another commenter wrote.
“They could talk inside a conference room and let the cwod in, as they usually do when calling the game from the studio,” one fan commented.
Williams later posted an update on the situation with a photo clearly showing him and the other fan after being moved to a different part of the level behind the goalposts.
“Some nice @MCG staff got us to level 4,” he wrote.
“They have promised a quick follow up with @7AFL & @FOXFOOTY and we are going to continue the conversation to do better.
“The story isn’t over yet. #accessmatters’.
Information on wheelchair seating is available on the MCG website: “Accessible seating is available in all MCG booths. Availability is event dependent.’
It also informs fans that accessible seating is available on the fourth floor of the MCC Member Reserve, the Ponsford Stand and the Olympic Stand.
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