Brennan Johnson stirred controversy by handling an Aussie rules football during Tottenham’s visit to Australia in May 2024, just before a post-season friendly against Newcastle that finished 1-1.
The Incident at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Tottenham conducted an open training session at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, drawing thousands of fans keen to watch Ange Postecoglou’s squad. After the session, players and staff circled the pitch to thank supporters. A fan tossed a Sherrin—the iconic Aussie rules football—toward Johnson. He fumbled the catch briefly before securing it and gently returning it to the crowd.
The Unwritten Rule in Australian Football
This seemingly innocent interaction violated a strict guideline from Football Australia, the sport’s governing body. The organization discourages soccer players from engaging with Aussie rules balls to avoid promoting the rival code. Touring football clubs once routinely posed for photos holding Sherrins, but authorities have since imposed an effective ban on such activities.
Past Precedent and Criticism
In 2022, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford posed with a Sherrin, and the image appeared on AFL social media. Australian football commentator Lucy Zelic condemned the move on X, calling it “f***ing embarrassing.”
Zelic wrote: “Can someone tell me what the point of this is? Is Marcus suddenly going to switch codes and sign for an AFL side? Go and pat a koala, meet with proud members of our Indigenous communities and spend time with grassroots FOOTBALL clubs.”
She continued: “This is just f***ing embarrassing. This is a blatant PR exercise that Marcus was told to do, nothing more. Cross-code promotions are a waste of time. They should be appealing to FOOTBALL fans.” Zelic added: “As a code, the AFL and its representatives have done nothing but s*** on football time and time again.”
Johnson’s Recent Transfer and Form
Johnson joined Crystal Palace from Tottenham in January for a club-record £35 million fee. He has yet to score for the Eagles but provided his first assist in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United over the weekend.
Palace faces Tottenham on Thursday, marking Johnson’s return to his former club. During his Tottenham stint, the Wales international scored 27 goals in 107 appearances, including the winner in last season’s Europa League final against Manchester United.
