THE man at the centre of a Facebook controversy has spoken out after being labelled “archaic and bigoted” by a racial diversity group president.
Mandurah City Football Club president Peter Rowe was described as having been ‘slammed’ after he made comments about Muslims on Facebook at the height of the Sydney siege drama on Monday.
Mr Rowe reportedly referred to Islam as ‘medieval’ and that he would not trust Muslims.
But in speaking with the Mandurah Mail on Tuesday, Mr Rowe said his views on Islam extended to every religion, and in no way reflected the views of the local football club as a whole.
“It’s true I don’t trust Muslims,” Mr Rowe said.
“I have a fear of them.
“But I don’t have any trust of Christianity either.
“Islam is medieval, and so is Christianity.”
Mr Rowe said the comments made on Facebook by him were part of a private conversation among a small group of people, and were never publicly visible.
The self-described atheist said he had been “set up” by someone in the group.
“I am angry,” Mr Rowe said.
“I think this is dirty tricks.
“I have no desire to provoke hatred or any criminal behaviour, but I do have concerns about a certain section of the population.
“I was not making hatred comments.”
Mr Rowe said he had been contacted by Football West chairman Liam Twigger who had “expressed his disappointment”, and he was “more than happy” to meet with the president of West Australians for Racial Diversity Suresh Rajan who reportedly described Mr Rowe’s comments as “reprehensible”.
“If I’ve offended somebody, I apologise,” he said.
“I expressed a personal view in a private forum.
“This is a very unfortunate issue that detracts from the good work we’re doing here at the football club.”
Mr Rowe made assurances people from any background were welcome at Mandurah City Football Club.
