Heath Shaw apologises offensive comment on umpire mic

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Update: Shaw offered an unreserved apology to the player involved and all other offended parties on Sunday.

Heath Shaw is expected to be hauled before the AFL after on-field microphones caught him making an offensive remark to an umpire.

Shaw was heard calling someone a ‘f—ing retard’.

The comment was broadcast live to Fox Footy TV viewers and prompted an immediate apology from commentator Jason Dunstall.

3AW Football’s Saturday night commentator Michael Christian, who is on the Match Review Panel, said the incident will be dealt with by the AFL’s football operations boss Simon Lethlean, rather than the MRP.

‘It would appear that Heath might’ve crossed the line with those comments,’ he said.

3AW co-commentator Kane Cornes agreed: ‘He’s probably just gone over the line there Heath, his emotions have got the better of him.’

Shaw apologised for the remark on Sunday morning.

‘I want to apologise for the insensitive comment I made to Tom Papley during last night’s game,’ Shaw said in a statement. 

‘Yes I am a fiery person who plays with a lot of passion and emotion but that is no excuse for my actions last night.

‘I apologise to Tom and anyone else who took offence to my comments, I deeply regret them.

‘There is no place for comments of that nature on or off the football ground. It was an offensive remark that I should never have made and for that I apologise.’