Di Pietro labels AFL as ‘mean spirited’ and ‘small minded’

Micheal Lynch writes in the Age that at a recent lunch,  Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro labelled the AFL as meanspirited and small minded for refusing to shift the Western Bulldogs v Fremantle game from Etihad to enable the Aleague Grand Final to be played.

“There’s room for all sporting codes [in Melbourne],” he said. “It’s incredibly mean spirited and small minded” that the A-League grand final could not have been played at Etihad, its spiritual home. “Let’s ensure that we are never in this situation again,” Di Pietro demanded, finishing with a pop at the footy code by suggesting those who couldn’t get in to AAMI might console themselves they could at least buy tickets for the “blockbuster” between the Dogs and the Dockers at Etihad which might have “about 15,000 ” fans.

Fairfax also reported that all Gillon Mclachlan and the AFL were after was a firm date to ensure no clashes in the future.