Anthony Albanese is calling for a public holiday if the Matilda’s win the World Cup. It’s a transparent attempt to emulate Bob Hawke who called for a holiday after Australia won the America’s Cup.
Spoiler Alert: Even if the Matilda’s win the World Cup … and even if we are given the day off .. Albo is no Bob Hawke.
But far from endearing himself to our women’s football team, his call for a public holiday in their honour only drew abuse from former International player Melissa Barbieri.
She tweeted this reply to the PM …
“Albanese keeps talking about this freaking public holiday. How about you just frucking fun our sport properly.
“35 weeks to play A League for a minimum of $25k for a female which most are on is not ok.
“Coaches on min cash … worse if you’re female … worse if you need food or petrol”
Melissa was a lot better at soccer than she is at diplomacy.
Here’s the thing Melissa, you’re playing professional sport. If it’s viable, it’ll fund itself through ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship.
And if it doesn’t, well then you’re an amateur and you pay for it yourself … you know, like the rest of us have to fund our weekend sporting dreams.
It’s bad enough that taxpayers have to fund the ABC without entitled soccer players demanding we fund them to kick a ball.
And while you're at it, James, you can also advise her (and the Matildas, and teams like them) who regular insert woke politics into sport, that they won't likely grow their sport if they continue to isolate those who just love sport for sports sake.
Maybe the Matildas can have the day off, but why everyone?