Country footy club goes ahead with paid Barry Hall speech
Related Story: 'Utterly disgusting': Barry Hall axed by Triple M after on-air comment
A country football club has still gone ahead with an event at which former AFL player Barry Hall was guest of honour, despite his vulgar on-air comments 24 hours earlier.
Hall was immediately sacked by Triple M after remarks to co-commentator Leigh Montagna during a pre-game chat on Friday night, in which he commented about the impending birth of Montagna's child.
He has apologised for the remarks which were condemned by Triple M's head of content Mike Fitzpatrick as "unacceptable and inappropriate".
Last night, Hall gave a paid speech at the Eudunda Robertstown Football Club, also known as the Southern Saints, in South Australia's lower north.
Before the talk, the team offered refunds to patrons but said it would not be cancelling the event.
"If any person who has purchased a ticket for tonight's event with Barry Hall has been offended by his comments last night, your tickets will be refunded," the club said on Facebook.
"The event is still going ahead, however, the Saints football and netball clubs want to ensure that we do not condone Barry's comments and we wish to distance ourselves from them."
The former Sydney Swans premiership captain told News Corp Australia he is a "proud father" who has "nothing but respect for women".
Today, the Eudunda Robertstown Football Club refused to comment on whether anyone wanted refunds, or on what Hall had to say.
But the ABC understands his radio remarks had little impact on attendance, and that the event went ahead in front of a near sell-out crowd.
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