SYDNEY, May 19: Former Australian Test cricket player David Hookes publicly apologised to the Jewish owner of an Australian football league club today after warning fans on radio to "beware of the Jew bearing gifts."Hookes, who played Test cricket for Australia in the 1970s and 80s, is a sports commentator on radio and television.
His comments came after mining magnate Joe Gutnick, the financial backer and president of the Melbourne Club, was pictured in a newspaper hugging players from the team after they beat Collingwood on Sunday.
Melbourne club chief executive Cameron Schwab released a statement saying Hookes' comments were "racist and bigoted, as well as being anti-semitic."
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
