Home / Sports / Olympian's Joke Sparks Vile Abuse from Cricket Fans
Olympian's Joke Sparks Vile Abuse from Cricket Fans
6 Dec
Summary
- Former Olympian Georgie Parker made a light-hearted joke about her ancestry.
- English cricket fans responded with vile accusations and personal attacks.
- Parker clarified her family were not convicts, but still faced criticism.
A light-hearted social media post by former Olympian Georgie Parker has ignited a firestorm among English cricket fans. Parker, a former Hockeyroo and AFLW star, joked about being grateful her great-great-grandfather stole a loaf of bread and was sent to Australia, implying it meant she didn't have to support England. This seemingly innocent comment was met with a torrent of hateful abuse on X, with trolls accusing her ancestor of being a rapist or murderer.
The backlash left Parker dismayed, prompting her to clarify that her family were not descendants of convicts and that she was merely joking. Despite this explanation, she continued to face criticism from some English supporters. The incident contrasts sharply with the reaction on Instagram, where her followers appreciated the humor in her post.
This is not the first time Parker has courted controversy with cricket fans. Earlier this year, she sparked debate by suggesting Shane Warne's numerous wickets included many 'pies,' while praising bowler Alana King. Her comments were deemed disrespectful by many, igniting a heated discussion about cricket legacies and player skill.
