Controversial footy figure Sam Newman has taken to social media to defend himself after he was slammed by for hosting two neo-Nazis on his ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ podcast.
Newman, who made 300 appearances for Geelong during his professional career, was criticised for having a ‘moral collapse’ by Dr Dvir Abramovic, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, for having Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell on his podcast.
During the 55-minute episode, the trio discussed topics relating to the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler and an Australia Day march.
The podcast was due to air on Wednesday but was instead released on Monday after The Herald Sun had published a report on the episode.
Cottrell released a picture on his X account and stood alongside Sewell and Newman after recording the episode.
He captioned the post: ‘Today Thomas Sewell and I had a chat with footy icon Sam Newman. Keep an eye on the podcast!’
Sam Newman hosted Thomas Sewell (left) and Blair Cottrell (right) on his ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ podcast
Sewell (pictured) is the leader of the European Australian National Socialist Network
Newman had subsequently issued a comment to The Herald Sun relating to the podcast’s release.
He told the outlet: ‘I can ignore them but interviewing them is not an endorsement of their mantra.
‘As for having my picture appear on X, I always do a promo video of subjects I interview so cannot stop people from their vicarious motives.
‘I have interviewed many controversial figures on “You Cannot Be Serious” but notice I have not been questioned “why?” previously.
‘In all instances, this is not “guilt by association”.’
Newman also took to X to address the image that had been published online of himself, Sewell and Cottrell.
Speaking in a video published on X, Newman said: ‘I interviewed Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell, neo-Nazis on the “You Cannot be Serious Podcast”. I haven’t posted it yet but I was asked by a journalist because Blair Cottrell posted a picture of him and me and Thomas Sewell on X. And I’m associated now with being a Nazi. I replied to the journalist who said: “Is it appropriate to put this on and chat about who they are?” And I said: “I by no means condone what they’re on but they’re people of interest and I’m heading to put it to air”.
‘Why don’t you have a look at what you say and what I ask them and you make your mind up.’
He captioned the video: ‘Before this interview has been posted there has been an extraordinary outpouring of derision and scorn. Is it not reasonable to seek an explanation from such controversial figures? I believe so, that’s why it will be online shortly. You Cannot Be Serious.’
Newman has subsequently been criticised by the Anti-Defamation Commission chairman who has released a statement criticising the decision to host Sewell and Cottrell on the podcast.
‘Let’s call this what it is—an absolute moral collapse,’ Dr Abramovic said.
‘Sam Newman has now plunged into the depths of disgrace, rolling out the red carpet for Australia’s most vile, unapologetic white supremacists.
‘These are not misunderstood figures. These are the faces of hatred, and Sam Newman has just handed them legitimacy on a silver platter.
Cottrell (pictured, front) is a founding member of the United Patriots Front and the Lads Society
Newman had subsequently issued a comment to the Herald Sun following the release of the podcast, saying he was ‘not guilty by association.’
‘This is not just ‘controversial’ or about free speech. It’s a betrayal of every Australian value. By giving these hardcore bigots and antisemitism a platform, Newman has spat in the face of Holocaust survivors, trampled on the legacy of the courageous diggers who died to defeat Hitler, and insulted every Australian who has fought against bigotry.’
Sewell is the leader of the European Australian National Socialist Network and is also the founder of the Lads Society. In 2023 he was convicted of assaulting a Channel Nine Network security guard and was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order.
Cottrell is a founding member of the United Patriots Front and the Lads Society. He was convicted of inciting hatred in 2017 and had attempted to appeal the decision in the Victorian court of appeal in 2019 but his appeal claim was knocked back.
‘What Sam Newman has done is dangerously, unforgivably wrong,’ Dr Abramovic wrote.
‘Sam Newman, your legacy is now rewritten. Not as a sporting great, but as a man who stood with the vilest extremists in Australia.’
