Fox Sports host Megan Barnard has returned to the television screens almost a week after her former colleague Tom Morris was fired for exposing his sexuality and making disgraceful remarks in a leaked video.
Barnard was spotted at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and presented Australia’s match against South Africa in second place in the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday morning.
The 37-year-old introduced the game to TV viewers just before the throw and later gave updates and talked to various cricketers throughout the match.
Fox Sports host Megan Barnard (pictured) has bravely returned to the TV screen almost a week after her former colleague Tom Morris was fired for exposing his sexuality and making disgraceful remarks in a leaked video
Barnard, who has worked for Fox Sports since 2013, has been one of Australia’s most important sports representatives for women’s cricket. She also hosts and presents news about the NRL to the station.
Her former colleague Tom Morris was fired last Friday after a leaked video surfaced revealing Barnard’s sexual orientation to a Whatsapp group on social media.
An internal investigation by Fox Sports found that he ‘crossed a line’ when he mentioned Barnard in extremely crude terms, which the Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish.
Morris, who was one of Fox’s leading AFL reporters, issued a gross apology for these comments, and also for a separate video in which he made derogatory comments about women, Asians, black people and gays.
Barnard, who has worked for Fox Sports since 2013, has been one of Australia’s most important sports representatives for women’s cricket. She also hosts and presents news about the NRL to the station
Barnard broke her silence over the disgraceful video last Sunday through a post shared on her personal Instagram, in which she thanked people for their support through her ordeal and criticized Morris without mentioning him by name.
Barnard broke her silence over the disgraceful video last Sunday through a post shared on her personal Instagram, in which she thanked people for their support throughout her ordeal and criticized Morris without mentioning him by name.
“Fortunately, I’m in a place in my life where I’m comfortable with who I am and I can handle anything deeply personal becoming public,” she began.
“But had it happened as late as a few years ago, it would not have been the case.
‘Getting out is a process and should never be taken out of anyone’s hands. Nor should anyone be talked about in such a degrading way. “
She concluded by writing: ‘I hope I can be a catalyst for change in not only the sports industry but all industries.’
Morris issued a gross apology for his comments Friday night after he was fired.
“I would like to unconditionally apologize to everyone for my disgusting and disgraceful comments that went public yesterday,” he wrote.
‘I’m especially sorry for the person involved. No one should ever, anywhere or at any time, be talked about that way.
‘I’m deeply ashamed of my behavior. My comments were hurtful to many and I will now take the time to listen, learn and work to improve myself and ensure that I become a better person. I’m really sorry for everyone. ‘
AFL reporter Tom Morris apologized for his comments about Barnard after he was fired by Fox Sports last Friday
Morris’ apology also covered a separate video in which he made derogatory comments about women, Asians, blacks and homosexuals
Fox Sports CEO Steve Crawley issued a statement on Friday saying Morris’ ‘unacceptable’ comments would not be tolerated.
“Our culture at Fox Sports is based on a respectful, inclusive environment and a fair go for everyone,” Crawley said.
“While Tom’s journalism has made a valuable contribution to Fox Sports over the last seven years, the message we became aware of yesterday went to the limit. It was unacceptable.
‘We have the best in the industry working at Fox Sports. We love what we do and we have a reputation as a great place to work. The bottom line is that we are committed to a work environment where everyone can get to work in the knowledge they are safe, respected and valued. We have zero tolerance for anything less than that. ‘
Barnard (pictured left while working for Fox Sports) said that even if she managed the ordeal well, it could have been a whole different story if it had happened to her a few years ago
Fox Sports host (left) stabbed Tom Morris without mentioning the disgraced reporter by name
The clips, which are supposed to have been recorded late last year, were originally shared in a private WhatsApp group before being leaked Thursday afternoon.
‘To the boys at level 4, I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not a woman, I’m not gay. So do not treat me like shit, ‘he said in the clip.
‘I’m a man with a heart and I have feelings.’
The audio and video clips went viral within an hour of being shared on social media with others on Thursday.
The two disgraceful videos of Morris were leaked after a much-publicized blast he received from Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge during a press conference on Wednesday night following the Bulldogs’ loss to Melbourne.
In an all-time verbal spray, Beveridge barred Morris for an accurate report of Bulldogs Premiership midfielder Lachie Hunter being dropped for the season opener.
The two disgraceful videos of Morris (pictured) were leaked after a much-publicized blast he received from Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge during a press conference on Wednesday night after the Bulldogs’ loss to Melbourne
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge (pictured) scolded Morris for an accurate report on the Bulldogs Premiership midfielder during a news conference on Wednesday
After the three-minute tirade in which he branded Morris a ‘runaway journalist’, Beveridge stormed out of his media conference.
“You have the courage to ask me a question and even be here,” Beveridge answered Morris’ question about the drama before the game.
‘You have raped us and created unrest in our football club by declaring our team well in advance of it being declared.
‘Is that the gut journalist you want to be?’
Beveridge issued an apology Thursday afternoon, saying he ‘exceeded’ in his exchange with Morris.
The Bulldogs also agreed to donate $ 20,000 to the youth organization Orygen after discussions between the AFL and senior club officials.