Footy star turned radio identity Ryan Fitzgerald is outraged as South Australia tries to ban the word ‘Radelaide’ during the AFL’s Gather Round

Football star turned radio identity Ryan Fitzgerald was left in disbelief after the South Australian Tourism Commission was caught trying to ban journalists from using the word ‘Radelaide’ during the AFL Round of Meetings.

3AW Radio presenter Heidi Murphy confirmed the bizarre directive, which also told journalists not to refer to Adelaide as the “City of Churches”.

Fitzgerald, who was born in Adelaide and played for the Crows in 2002 before having to retire from the sport due to a knee injury, didn’t mince his words when asked for his opinion.

“That’s ridiculous,” the NOVA FM host told Murphy.

‘I will say I can understand why they (the South Australian Tourism Commission) don’t like the repeated reference to the City of Churches.

The strange directive was confirmed by 3AW Radio presenter Heidi Murphy, who also encouraged journalists not to refer to Adelaide as the “City of Churches” (pictured Adelaide Crows star Rory Laird in action against the Melbourne Demons).

Ryan Fitzgerald (pictured left) played for Adelaide Crows in 2002 before having to retire from the sport due to a knee injury.

Fitzgerald encourages listeners (and scribes) to call Adelaide “whatever they want” (pictured, a panoramic view of Adelaide’s CBD)

“In Adelaide there are not many churches, but the ones we have are beautiful.”

Fitzgerald wasn’t done yet, and he encouraged listeners (and scribes) to call Adelaide “whatever they want.”

“When it comes to Radelaide, I love it, I use the term myself, and this is coming from a guy who grew up here,” he added.

‘To be honest, they (the South African Government and Tourism Commission) should be happy that people are here to play football during the Gather Round, contributing to the economy.

‘Call it Radelaide, Rads, whatever you like…come and enjoy our beautiful shiraz.’

The Commission’s memo asked journalists to remove the terms under a heading called “content exclusions.”

‘Please do not refer to Adelaide as RADelaide. Please do not refer to Adelaide as the City of Churches,” she said.

WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted the commission for comment.

Gather Round began on Thursday night, with the Melbourne Demons beating the Adelaide Crows by 15 points at Adelaide Oval.

All 18 clubs will be in action until April 7, with the highlight match between Fremantle and Carlton, both undefeated in 2024.

WhatsNew2Day Australia has approached the South Australian Tourism Commission for comment.