Lisa Wilkinson has been forced to apologise after she sparked outrage for an on-air comment, where she suggested the conflict between Ukraine and Russia could be resolved with a soccer match.
The Project co-host joked that war-torn Ukraine and the invading Russia could make peace over a game of football during Thursday night’s episode, as reported by news.com.au.
“They should just have one game, Russia versus Ukraine, and we can settle a war,” Lisa joked.
Though co-hosts Waleed Aly, Peter Helliar and Tony Armstrong laughed off the comment in a light-hearted segment, some viewers took to social media to share their anger over the comment.
“Your comments about Russian war in Ukraine are disgusting,” one viewer tweeted. “Sometimes it is wise to think before opening your mouth. Complaint sent to Channel 10.”
“Your comment was super stupid and thoughtless,” another wrote. “Only if we could of (sic) ended other conflicts in the same way, a baseball game between USA and Japan to end WW2 perhaps? It’s clear you don’t understand the complexities of the horrors of war.”
“How insensitive to make a comment like that after all the atrocities,” a third added.
Lisa has since apologised to a follower on Instagram who was offended, and has clarified her stance on the conflict.
“My sincere apologies, it was not meant to offend,” she wrote.
“I hope the many, many other comments I have made over the last four months have made it clear that my feelings on the tragedy of the despicable acts perpetrated by Russia in this war would make that clear.
“Again, if not, my sincere apologies for any offence taken.”
Since February, thousands of Ukrainians have died and millions have been displaced, with entire towns being completely destroyed by Russian troops and many forced to leave the country as refugees as a result.
Lisa’s comment comes after Ukraine’s soccer team lost to Wales on Sunday in their second official match since the invasion, dashing their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. Ukraine’s domestic league has also been called off for the season following the loss.
In the wake of the invasion, Russia’s team was barred from playing by FIFA.
Image: Channel 10
