Melbourne community football coach sacked after vile Tammy Hembrow comment

News.com.au

3 days ago

A community football coach has been sacked after making a crude social media remark about fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow's relationship with AFL star Bailey Smith.
The Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club confirmed on Friday that League coach John Baggetta had been terminated after he posted the offensive slur to Facebook, where he referred to Hembrow as a 'c** bucket'.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The full comment read: 'He's trying to keep his relevance and she's a c** bucket.'
Earlier this week, Smith and Hembrow were spotted on a Gold Coast date, kissing and sharing lunch at a waterfront restaurant.
The sighting fuelled speculation of a new romance just two months after Hembrow's split from her former husband, Matt Zukowski.
Later, she appeared online wearing what looked like Smith's jacket.
Smith has not confirmed the relationship, responding only with a string of expletives when questioned by reporters at Geelong training.
Their public outing attracted a wave of online commentary, much of it targeting Hembrow with misogynistic remarks.
Baggetta's comment, left under a news article, quickly sparked calls for his dismissal.
'The board of the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club wish to inform all players, members, officials and supporters that John Baggetta has been terminated as League coach,' the club said in a statement.
'Regarding the social media post made by John, we do not condone those comments, and they do not reflect the values or standards of the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club at any level.'
The club said such remarks were 'not to be tolerated in society'.
Journalist Sherele Moody demanded his sacking in a post on social media.
'I shared a post recently with a range of disgusting misogynist slurs by Australian men directed at Tammy Hembrow after she went on a date,' she wrote.
'Old mate John Baggetta's comment was the worst – he called Tammy a C** Bucket. A man responsible for mentoring and shaping the points of view of young men is just casually throwing around sexist slurs.'
The club said it consulted with its women's team and members before making the decision.
'We are incredibly proud to have a women's team, female representation on our board and women actively involved as members of our club.
'We have consulted with members of our women's side and we are committed to offering them and all the females in our club any support necessary.
'We also remain committed to supporting anyone else affected by these comments and welcome open communication with those who may have concerns.'
It has been an intense week for Brownlow Medal fancy Smith and fitness queen Hembrow since news of their date first broke.
Paparazzi photos showed the couple leaving a ritzy, chef-hatted venue at Burleigh Heads last Saturday — the day after the Cats' victory over Essendon in Geelong.
According to The Herald Sun, it is the second time the pair have been spotted together on the Gold Coast.
Love Island he was the one who chose to end their marriage.
Smith's ex, Izzy Armitage, who dated the footy player back in 2021, earlier this week.