Fox Sports and NRL legend-cum-TV-presenter Matty Johns have issued an apology following backlash for photoshopping Adolf Hitler onto a fan cutout during a segment.
The code has allowed fans to spend $22 on a cardboard cutout of their face that gets placed inside a stadium during a match. Many have uploaded photos of themselves in club colours to show their support.
But during a discussion on Sunday Night With Matty Johns, the host and other members of the show joked about a photoshopped image of Hitler's face had been plastered onto one cutout.
The segment copped a fierce backlash on social media, with many people failing to find the funny side.
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A spokesperson for the network has told Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports: "We are very concerned by an incident involving an inappropriate image shown as part of one of our live shows discussing NRL crowd cut-outs.
"We are currently reviewing the circumstances and examining the action we need to ensure those involved understand it is not acceptable.
"We sincerely apologise for the offence the image has caused."
Johns has also issued a statement, which said: "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.
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"I know Fox Sports has apologised 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 apologise to the Jewish community and I'll be apologising on air to all our viewers on Thursday night's show."
That's not the only controversy surrounding the new cardboard cutout.
People watching a NRL match on the weekend might not have noticed anything amiss when the camera panned to the sea of cardboard fans in the stands.
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However, people who are familiar with Harold Shipman were quick to point out how his image was used on a cutout.
The infamous British doctor, who is considered one of the most prolific serial killers in history, was convicted of killing 15 people at his practice, however his total victim count could be as high as 250.
Many people who saw him on the TV weren't happy and thought it was very poor taste.
Featured Image Credit: Fox Sports
