Carlton star Harry McKay hits out at his own fans as video shows the team being horribly abused after their loss to Essendon: ‘Take the jumper off!’ You are a disgrace to your family!
- Players bombarded by furious fans
- Ugly scenes at the MCG last Sunday
- Defeat leaves the Blues 15th in the standings
Carlton striker Harry McKay has lashed out at an ugly ‘minority’ among the club’s fans after supporters were caught on video hurling despicable abuse at the team when they lost to Essendon last Sunday.
Footage uploaded to TikTok shows supporters yelling at the team as they walk up the tunnel to their locker room just after the siren sounded at the MCG, with one man shouting: ‘Take the sweater off!’ You all!’
‘You are a disgrace! A fucking shame! All of you, take it off! Take off the fucking sweater!’ the man continues
It then focuses on Blues star Jack Silvagni, the son of club legend Stephen and grandson of Blues great Sergio.
The Blues were repeatedly branded a ‘shame’ as they headed to their locker room following the 34-point loss to rivals Essendon last Sunday.
Fuck you, Jack! Fuck you, Jack! You are a disgrace, a disgrace to your family! he breathes as other fans join in their own abuse.
The 34-point loss was Carlton’s sixth straight loss and eighth loss in its last nine games, leaving them 15th on the ladder after 13 rounds.
Blues fans have reacted with fury to the run of poor form, which follows a vastly improved performance in 2022 that saw the team narrowly miss out on the final.
Coach Michael Voss – in his second year at the helm – is under incredible pressure amid calls for him to be sacked.
The last time Carlton suffered such a serious losing streak, it cost then-coach Brendon Bolton his job in 2019.
McKay insisted the players were united in supporting Voss all the way as he hit out at fan behavior and the effect it had on fellow spectators.
“I understand that’s a minority of supporters. Many of our fans have been fantastic throughout this year and the passion and energy they bring to the games,” he said.
The abuse got so bad that a Carlton staff member (left) could be seen pointing angrily at screaming fans while another filmed them on their phone (right)
Tom De Koning (centre) shed a tear after the Blues fell to 15th in the table with their sixth successive defeat
“I think the minority in situations like this is more disappointing for children and families.
“You want to create a safe environment. Everyone likes to come to football so to see the minority doing that is disappointing.
“We want to create games at Carlton where everyone feels comfortable and safe, so I want to thank the majority for that, but it’s disappointing that a few compromise that.
“We’re big enough and ugly enough to deal with some of the things said over the fence.
“When you leave, I don’t think it helps the greater cause if you hear abuse and stuff when you leave, but I guess that’s part of being a professional athlete.”
The Blues had a bonding session at veteran midfielder Ed Curnow’s Torquay property last week as they searched for answers to try and regain their form since the start of the 2022 season.
Blues star Harry McKay (pictured center after the Bombers loss) has blasted fans over the effect their shocking outburst has had on ‘kids and families’ in football
Jack Silvagni (pictured coming off the pitch last Sunday) has been singled out by one of the fans and accused of being a disgrace to his family. He is the son of club legend Stephen Silvagni and the grandson of Blues icon Sergio Silvagni.
‘In my eight years [at Carlton] I think it’s the closest and most united group,” McKay said.
“Obviously when success on the pitch isn’t necessarily there, it’s really important to stay united and connected.
“I think in football and in life, through your toughest times or your desperation, you become connected as a group and hopefully you can bounce back stronger and that’s definitely the belief as a group that even though it sucks right now, we’re it’s gonna be better for it.