-
Snoop Dogg praised Australian Rules football ahead of his AFL grand final performance.
-
His halftime booking stirred debate in Australia over past controversies.
-
Andrew Dillon, the head of the AFL, supported the choice based on his experience.
American Rapper Snoop Dogg said he was in love with Australian Rules football on Thursday as he prepared to perform at the sport’s grand final.
ALSO READ: Snoop Dogg Returns to Smoking After Quitting Publicly
He’ll take the stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, where up to 100,000 fans will gather to watch Geelong face Brisbane.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
“I’ve been coming to this country for years and I understand what this game is and what it means,” – he told Australian media at a function where no questions were permitted. I know that it’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life. I just fell in love with the sport.”
“I always would watch it, but never really understood it. It reminded me of American football, rugby and a couple of other things, but now that I understand it, I like it and want to know more about it before the grand finale.” – he added.
People in Australia are divided about the choice of Snoop Dogg as the halftime show.
People who don’t like the AFL believe that its booking goes against current disciplinary actions and that its former songs are insulting.
In August the league banned Adelaide star Izak Rankine for four games after a homophobic slur, and that decision fuelled the debate when the AFL confirmed the American artist.
AFL chief Andrew Dillon defended the pick, saying he felt confident in the choice.
He noted Snoop Dogg has performed at global shows like the Olympics and the Super Bowl, and that the rapper will suit the MCG stage.
The AFL has been around since 1858 and is still the most popular sport to watch in Australia.
Fans filing into the MCG this weekend have high expectations for both the match and the halftime show.
The booking has certainly given supporters plenty to discuss.
