Port Adelaide says it is conducting a review into board member and former star Warren Tredrea following a complaint about the content of his podcast.
Tredrea has denied accusations of antisemitism, after a guest on The Ballsy Show made controversial comments in an interview.
Port Adelaide board member and former star Warren Tredrea.Credit: Getty Images
In a statement on Wednesday, the Power said they were reviewing their 2004 premiership-winning captain’s conduct after “concerns raised about recent public content published by [the] member-elected club director”.
Port’s move came after the Jewish Council of Australia, a left-wing pro-Palestinian group, objected to an Instagram post from Tredrea related to remarks about Israel from the guest on the retired footballer’s podcast. The club said the 46-year-old Tredrea would remain on the board until the review was completed.
Tredrea said he “unequivocally” condemns war and genocide and is “not in any way, shape, or form, an antisemite” after Port Adelaide said they were undertaking a governance review.
The former star had a former British army veteran on his show last month. In comments that have since sparked a furore, A.J. Roberts made assertions without evidence that Israel was “a fake state” and that Mossad was “part of carrying out 9/11 … and created ISIS”.
Warren Tredrea during his AFL playing career in 2005.Credit: John Donegan
Tredrea did not make antisemitic comments in the interview and The Age is not suggesting he supported Roberts’ theories.
The Age attempted to contact Tredrea. He defended his podcast on social media on Wednesday night.
“I started this podcast series as a result of some personal and professional developments in my life over the last few years – private matters which have played out in a public forum. Those matters have made me sceptical, and even cynical, about big government, big business and big media,” Tredrea wrote on X.
“In an effort to work my way through this, I have found myself attracted to people who have taken a similar life path, and have taken a similar view to these big organisations.
Port Adelaide’s then-skipper Tredrea and coach Mark Williams accept the 2004 premiership cup.Credit: Vince Caligiuri
“I have been curious to talk to these people in a public forum about uncomfortable issues, some, but not all, of which have played significant roles in the shaping of my view of the world in the past few years.
“Let me make it abundantly clear. I unequivocally condemn war and genocide, and seek only to share other perspectives of what has been a very one way reported narrative in the mainstream media.
“I am not in any way, shape, or form, an antisemite, and consider it defamatory for anyone to accuse me as such.
“As someone who always aims to do the moral and good thing even when it’s hard, my ultimate goal is to create unity and cohesion whilst pursuing a fair go for all.”
Port Adelaide club chairman David Koch said the Power maintained “comprehensive governance standards”, which applied to staff and club directors alike.
“Directors and officials of the club are entitled to their personal views. However, there are concerns that recent content published is in breach of these standards,” Koch said in a club statement.
“The club is committed to upholding the professional standards our members, partners and the community expect and deserve.”
The Jewish Council of Australia had expressed its concern about the podcast comments .
“[The council] is deeply disturbed by the amplification of far-right antisemitic conspiracy theories in this Instagram post and podcast episode,” executive officer Max Kaiser said in a statement.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch.Credit: Getty Images
Tredrea is considered among Port’s greatest AFL players. He is an Australian Football Hall of Fame member, a four-time All-Australian, and captained the Power to their only AFL premiership in 2004. He was elected to the club’s board last year.
After a 255-game career from 1997-2010, Tredrea began a career in the media in Adelaide. Tredrea joined Nine, owner of The Age, in 2013 as a TV sports presenter. He was dismissed in 2021 for refusing the company’s COVID vaccine edict and lost a court appeal seeking $6 million in lost wages.
Tredrea argued Nine’s direction requiring staff to be vaccinated was unreasonable because the virus posed a low risk of illness, the vaccine was not particularly effective, and it presented health risks to recipients.
Justice Geoffrey Kennett dismissed Tredrea’s application in a Federal Court hearing in March last year, agreeing with Nine’s claim that it had a right to terminate his contract to protect itself from reputational damage.
The court ordered Tredrea to reimburse Nine’s legal costs, incurred by his attempt to appeal.
With AAP
