South Sydney’s long-time mascot Charlie Gallico has issued an apology to nine-year-old Cronulla Sharks fan Benji Agius after pushing the boy during Saturday’s NRL match.
Gallico, dressed as ‘Reggie Rabbit’, was filmed walking towards the tunnel at Shark Park before turning and confronting Benji.
The Rabbitohs and Sharks opened an investigation after the boy’s mother Caroline lodged a complaint.
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Gallico initially defended his actions, saying he had been grabbed first.
“I apologise if I did something wrong but I don’t think I did,” he said on Monday.
But a club statement on Tuesday said Gallico, who is in his 80s, had now “accepted full responsibility for his actions”.
“I would like to apologise to young Benji and his parents,” he was quoted as saying.
“My actions were wrong. I should never have pushed Benji, or any child for that matter, the way I did on Saturday.
“I love children and do a lot of work for charity, in the community and in junior football. I realise Reggie Rabbit is a children’s character and my actions were not right.
“After going through the video I now realise I was in the wrong. I realise Benji did nothing wrong and didn’t deserve to be pushed, and I take full responsibility for what I did.
“I hope they can forgive me and accept my apology, and I hope he continues to love rugby league and keeps enjoying going to the football on the weekends. I can’t apologise enough to Benji and his family for what happened.
“I love this club and would not mean to do anything to hurt the club, but unfortunately, this time my actions have hurt the club.
“I will do everything I can to represent South Sydney in the best way possible from now on. Nothing like this will ever happen again.
“Once again, I know what I did was wrong and I apologise for my actions.”
South Sydney did not announce any further consequences ahead of Thursday night’s home game against the Panthers.