Carlton suspends – Carlton has suspended unofficial fan podcaster Rocco Stagnitti until at least the end of 2026 after he joked he would ‘punch the f*** out of’ The Besties during a livestream discussion, triggering outrage across the AFL community and sparking a formal club inv
For weeks, Carlton’s Carlton Respects Round message has been about turning football into a safer place—one where gender equality is lived, not just promoted. Then a short clip from a fan podcast surfaced, and the outrage hit with the kind of immediacy that leaves little room to sit with excuses.
Carlton has cancelled the membership of unofficial fan podcast host Rocco Stagnitti after he joked during a livestream that he would ‘punch the f*** out of’ The Besties, a female-led supporter group. The incident erupted after a clip from The Jumper Punch podcast circulated online earlier this week.
During a discussion about a hypothetical charity boxing event involving Carlton fan creators. Stagnitti said: ‘I’d punch the f*** out of The Besties.’ The remark was followed by laughter from others on the panel. Another host added: ‘There you go, Respects Round mate right there, Respects Round mate.’.
The timing proved especially damaging. Carlton is preparing for its annual Carlton Respects Round, an initiative focused on gender equality and preventing violence against women.
Stagnitti later released an apology video after the backlash intensified. Footy fans described the comments as ‘horrendous’ and ‘abhorrent’.
The Besties, for its part, moved quickly. Founder Tori Saros appeared in a video shared by the group condemning Stagnitti and his co-hosts after they laughed at the comment during The Jumper Punch podcast. Saros said the clip reflects ongoing issues faced by women involved in football media and fan communities.
‘It’s disgusting but this is just one example of what we deal with as female creators and what we are sure others experience, too,’ Saros told ABC Sport. ‘We don’t mind if you don’t like us. We don’t mind if you don’t like our content. We understand it isn’t for everyone.’
She also added: ‘I can’t believe I have to say it, but if you have nothing nice to say, learn to say nothing at all.’
Carlton moved after the backlash intensified online. The club launched an investigation before deciding to revoke Stagnitti’s membership. Carlton also confirmed the individuals involved had been offered access to respect education programs.
In a statement, Carlton strongly condemned the segment, saying: ‘The segment was abhorrent and in no way reflective of the values of the Carlton Football Club or the wider Carlton community.’
The club later explained the message it wants to draw a line around: ‘Football should be a place for everyone to enjoy a sense of community and belonging.’ It added: ‘Violence against women is never acceptable.’
The fallout spread far beyond social media. Carlton supporters, journalists, and women working in sport media reacted to the remarks. Sports journalist Marnie Vinall described the behaviour as ‘disgusting abhorrent behaviour’, while basketball broadcaster Kelsey Browne labelled the comments ‘vile’.
Facing mounting criticism, Stagnitti issued a public apology on Instagram. ‘I did not make this comment with any intention of wanting to really punch anyone,’ he said.
He continued: ‘Although my intentions were not malicious. I completely acknowledge that what I said promoted the wrong message and made many feel uncomfortable.’ Stagnitti added: ‘This is a position I would never want to put anyone in. but more importantly women. For that, I am sorry and I apologise to everyone that was affected by my comments.’.
Carlton’s decision is now clear: it has suspended the membership of Stagnitti until at least the end of 2026, putting a club-backed consequence behind a remark that was met with immediate rejection from the community it was meant to be part of.
Carlton AFL Rocco Stagnitti The Besties The Jumper Punch podcast Carlton Respects Round respect education programs membership suspended violence against women
Bro why would he say that.
Seems like he’s getting suspended forever for one clip. Like I’m not saying it was ok, but people joke about stuff all the time. Also “punched” sounds like sports banter until someone makes it worse online.
Wait so Carlton suspended the podcaster because the panel laughed? I feel like they cut the context. If it was a “charity boxing event” thing then maybe he meant like… the hypothetical? Idk but it’s definitely not a good look, especially with the Respects Round thing.
These leagues always say “respect women” but then half the comments section is feral. I’m glad The Besties called it out, but also why are we acting like this is new? The second he said “punch the…” it was basically over, like instant clip farming. I saw the apology video too and it didn’t feel sincere, sounded like damage control to me. Anyway 2026 is wild though, that’s basically a whole era.