Fox Sports presenter Tom Morris has been sacked following an investigation of leaked WhatsApp audio which allegedly contained sexist and homophobic slurs against a female colleague.
Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley said the audio message the company became aware of on Thursday was “unacceptable” and the network has a “zero tolerance” policy.
“Our culture at Fox Sports is based on a respectful, inclusive environment and a fair go for all,” Crawley said. “While Tom’s journalism has made a valuable contribution to Fox Sports over the past seven years, the message we became aware of yesterday crossed the line.
“The bottom line is we are committed to a work environment where everyone can come to work in the knowledge they are safe, respected and valued.”
Late on Friday Morris wrote an apology on Twitter, saying he was “deeply ashamed at my behaviour”.
“I would like to unconditionally apologise to everyone for my disgusting and disgraceful comments,” he wrote.
“I am especially sorry to the person involved. No one should ever, in any place, or at any time, be spoken about in that way.”
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) March 18, 2022
Morris was suspended on Thursday not long after receiving an apology from Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge for his outburst during a post-game press conference.
“Fox Sports has stood down a reporter pending an investigation regarding an inappropriate audio recording,” a spokesperson said on Thursday night.
“While it is not appropriate to comment further, Fox Sports is committed to a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.”
Earlier on Friday, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said Morris’ comments were “clearly unacceptable”.
“I have just seen it in written form and clearly the comments from my reading of it are unacceptable, and clearly unacceptable, and Fox Sports have taken action,” McLachlan told 3AW.
“I don’t really want to comment more than that because I think it is still being reviewed.”
On Wednesday night, after a three-minute tirade, in which he labelled Morris a “gutter journalist”, Beveridge stormed out of his media conference.
But after a day of the fiery exchange overshadowing the AFL’s season-opener, which Melbourne won by 26 points, the Western Bulldogs and Beveridge offered a written and video apology.
Get around your favorite women sports journos today. Cos the way one of our own was talked about today is what we all fear we are reduced to when we leave the room.
— Emma Race (@Emsyanna) March 17, 2022
“I have reflected on my comments and actions from the post-game press conference after last night’s game and acknowledge that my exchange with journalist Tom Morris overstepped the mark,” he said.
“I recognised that what I did was not OK. It was not representative of our club culture which is so special and means so much to me.
“While I was highly emotional in the moments after a difficult loss, it is no excuse to let those emotions spill over and get the better of me.”
Morris has been approached for comment.
