Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin booing: Collingwood release statement condemning fans for ‘failing champion’

Collingwood have taken the extraordinary step of issuing a public apology for Lance Franklin getting booed, with the club saying their fans “failed to respect a champion”.

Magpies fans drew the ire of the AFL world after booing the future Hall of Famer during their team’s win over Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.

Franklin went goalless as the Swans went down by 29 points in their first clash with Collingwood at the home of footy in a decade.

The Magpies faithful booed the forward for much of the day, following a familiar trend after they were the first to do it to Port Adelaide youngster Jason Horne-Francis.

Sydney coach John Longmuir questioned why they would boo, suggesting they should be “celebrating a champion of the game”, while his counterpart Craig McRae also condemned the behaviour in his post-game interview.

The club went one step further on Monday, issuing a statement on behalf of the coach, captain Darcy Moore and chief executive Craig Kelly.

“We apologise to the Sydney Swans and to Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin,” the statement read.

“The club does not support booing, particularly champions of the game.

“Yesterday was the first time we played the Swans at the MCG in a decade – it provided an opportunity to respect a champion of the game, and we fell short.

“Buddy is a great of Australian Football – what he has achieved on the field over a long period of time demands a high level of respect.

“To our members and supporters, we are on an exciting journey at Collingwood, and we do not take for granted the unwavering support you provide us with at every game – home or away. Our fans turn up like no other – you’re our 19th player – you’re loud, you’re passionate, you’re emotional.

“We hope the next time we get the chance to witness a champion of the game; we treat them with respect, the same respect we ask for when it comes to our players and our champions.

“When our club has the opportunity, we stand Side by Side with the greats of our game.”

The Swans also released a statement expressing their disappointment of being back in this position with the behaviour similar to that directed at Adam Goodes in his final season.

“Lance is a champion and his contribution to the AFL should be celebrated and respected,” the statement read.

“Fans are the lifeblood of our game and have the right to cheer loudly at the football. But booing isn’t a right – it’s offensive – and players should not be subjected to it in their workplace.

“We have been here before and sadly it seems some people have not learned from the past.”

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan also made the League’s stance clear.

“All players have the right to be treated respectfully on-field,” he said.

“We want everyone to go to a game and express themselves, the passion for the contest and the voice of the crowd is what sets our competition apart, however we don’t accept excessive booing as part of our game.

“Jason Horne-Francis is an emerging star of our game, Lance Franklin is an all-time great. Our view applies equally to both. In fact, no player should be targeted in that way.”