Port Adelaide has removed former club great Warren Tredrea from its board after he refused to apologise for comments made by a guest on his podcast. The AFL club said the decision was a governance matter and not a reflection on his playing career.
The controversy stems from a podcast interview published in May with a former British Army veteran, which drew criticism from the Jewish Council of Australia for allegedly amplifying far-right antisemitic conspiracy theories. Tredrea denied being antisemitic and called the accusations defamatory.
The club’s board requested that Tredrea apologise to the club and anyone offended by the remarks, but the 46-year-old declined. After a governance review, the board determined that his continuation as a director was not in the best interests of the club.
Tredrea, who was elected to the board last year, said on social media that he was concerned by the actions of some at the club and would make further statements in the future. He wished the playing groups success going forward.
The club stressed that Tredrea’s legacy as a premiership captain and one of its greatest players remains untarnished and separate from the governance decision. Tredrea played 255 games for Port Adelaide and captained the side to its only AFL premiership in 2004.
