• Fox Sports has apologized after it showed a photoshopped image of Adolf Hitler in the crowd of an Australian National Rugby League game.
  • A superimposed image of Hitler was placed in the crowd as part of a sketch during Matty Johns’ NRL highlights show on Sunday night, according to The Independent.
  • “We sincerely apologize for the offence the image has caused,” Fox said.
  • Johns also apologized personally, saying in a statement: “I know how raw and devastating those events remain for so many people and families.”
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Fox Sports has issued a grovelling apology after it showed a photoshopped image of Adolf Hitler in the crowd of an Australian sports event.

A superimposed black-and-white image of Hitler was shown as part of a sketch on Matty Johns’ National Rugby League highlights show on Sunday night, according to The Independent.

Hitler’s image was placed among cardboard cutouts of fans at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium, which are on display as part of a supporter-driven initiative amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Fox Sports is very concerned by an incident involving an inappropriate image shown as part of a segment discussing NRL crowd cutouts,” a statement from the broadcaster read, as per The Independent.

"We sincerely apologize for the offence the image has caused."

Johns, a former NRL player, also apologized for the sketch, saying in a statement: "The segment on my Fox League show on Sunday in which we showed an image of Hitler in crowd cut-outs was in poor taste and completely inappropriate.

"I know Fox Sports has apologized but I need to personally step up to this. I know how raw and devastating those events remain for so many people and families.

"I acknowledge it was wrong and I apologise to our viewers and to everyone in the community who is rightly concerned and offended by the segment.

"I've reached out and spoken directly to Vic Alhadeff at the Jewish Board of Deputies this morning to apologize to the Jewish community and I'll be apologizing on air to all our viewers on Thursday night's show."

The segment prompted widespread backlash on social media, including from a member of Australia's Jewish community.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said on Twitter: "This sort of stupidity, the casualization of Hitler, Nazis, and by extension their crimes, is what leads to swastikas being graffitied throughout our cities and school kids being harassed with gas chamber jokes."

Ryvchin later thanked Johns for his apology, adding that he hopes the incident "leads to greater tolerance and understanding."

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