The Carlton Football Club is investigating a podcast produced by Blues supporters after one of the hosts made a violent threat against members of a female-centric fan group. Rocco Stagnitti, co-host of The Jumper Punch podcast, stated he would 'punch the f**k out of' the Carlton Besties during a discussion about a hypothetical boxing event involving various Blues content creators.
Context of the Comment
In an episode published on Tuesday night, Stagnitti and his co-hosts were debating which individuals he could defeat in a fight. When the conversation turned to the Besties, a group of female-focused Instagram influencers who run their own podcast, Stagnitti remarked, 'I'd punch the f**k out of the besties. Nah, I would win that, wouldn't I?' The comment was met with laughter from his co-hosts. One of them responded, 'There's Respects Round right there,' referencing the club's Carlton Respects gender equality initiative aimed at preventing violence against women.
Outrage and Responses
The clip quickly sparked widespread online backlash. Fans condemned the remarks as 'horrendous' and 'abhorrent,' with many expressing disgust. The Jumper Punch attempted to mitigate the controversy by posting an extended clip on Instagram, claiming the comment was taken out of context. However, the Besties rejected this defense, stating, 'Here is all the context, like it makes a difference.' In a video, a Besties host emphasized that 'violence against women and conversations surrounding the issue should not be mocked.'
Apology and Investigation
Stagnitti later issued a video apology on The Jumper Punch's Instagram, acknowledging that his words promoted the wrong message and made many uncomfortable. He said, 'Although my intentions were not malicious, I completely acknowledge that what I said promoted the wrong message and made many feel uncomfortable.' The Carlton club has launched an investigation into the matter, though the podcast has no official ties to the team. Some fans have called for the hosts to have their club memberships revoked.
