'Pathetic and petty' AFL slammed for releasing fixture during Socceroos match
The AFL has been roundly criticised for the dumfounding decision to release important news as the Socceroos were about to kick off their World Cup final 16 match.
Australia made it through to its first men's World Cup round of 16 since 2006, but ultimately lost 2-1 to Argentina in what was a gallant performance nonetheless.
But at 6am on Sunday (AEDT) - the exact time the Socceroos were beginning and millions of eyes around the country were glued to televisions - a statement dropped from AFL head office.
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It was the release of next season's round one fixtures.
Whether the AFL was trying to bury the news to attract as little attention as possible is unclear, and unlikely given there's not too much controversy surrounding the draw.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan. Getty
Many pundits speculated it was a deliberate act from the AFL in a desperate effort to take attention away from the nation's top men's football team on the biggest stage.
"It's really interesting to watch the response from the other codes, and, you know, the story was 10, 20 years ago when Australia failed in World Cups, AFL and NRL broke out the champagne," leading AFL journalist Caroline Wilson said on ABC's Offsiders.
"I thought the response this morning to release the round one fixture of the AFL 2023 season was just lame of the AFL to release it today.
"I would have just given (the Socceroos) a bit of clean air today. I thought that was disappointing by the AFL."
Other journalists and punters took to social media to slam the AFL for the bizarre decision.
ABC football reporter Daniel Garb labelled it "pathetic and petty".
AFL ROUND 1 2023
Thursday, March 16
Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 7.20pm AEDT
Friday, March 17
Geelong v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm AEDT
Saturday, March 18
North Melbourne v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm AEDT
Port Adelaide v Brisbane, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACDT
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT
Gold Coast v Sydney, Metricon Stadium, 7.00pm AEST
Sunday, March 19
Greater Western Sydney v Adelaide, Giants Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT
Hawthorn v Essendon, MCG, 3.20pm AEDT
St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEDT
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