{
  "id": 5692925,
  "title": "That viral 'bulls***' moment and how football saved Awer Mabil",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/that-viral-bulls-moment-and-how-football-saved-awer-mabil",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T02:18:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-05/awer-mabil-football-socceroos-monoculture-pauline-hanson/107106742"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Socceroos star Awer Mabil has defended his recent comments about Pauline Hanson's proposal for a monoculture in Australia, insisting he was being genuine in his response. Mabil, who recently signed a three-year deal with Melbourne City and plans to return to Australia after a decade in Europe, says celebrating multiculturalism is crucial to what makes the country great.\n\nReflecting on his childhood at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, Mabil remembers how football provided an escape from hunger and hardship. He explains, \"Football was 100 per cent an escape for us. If you re hungry, you don t feel hungry because you re just playing for the moment with your friends.\"\n\nMabil arrived in Australia as a 10-year-old refugee and has since become one of the nation's most well-known football players, representing Australia at two World Cups and being recognized as the Young Australian of the Year in 2023. He is now looking forward to putting down roots in Australia, excited to buy furniture and play in front of his family and friends.\n\nWhen asked about Hanson's controversial proposal, Mabil said, \"It's just all bulls***.\" However, he emphasizes the importance of not only tolerating but celebrating different cultures in Australia. Mabil's brothers, born in Australia, are more \"Aussie\" than anyone else, he adds.\n\nAlthough he has received support from many for his defense of multiculturalism, Mabil also acknowledges that there has been hate directed his way. He maintains that staying true to oneself and being genuine is the best approach. After a trip back to the Kakuma Refugee Camp, Mabil and his brother started the charity Barefoot to Boots, which provides football equipment and other essentials to refugees in camps worldwide.\n\nMabil's future plans include continuing his charitable work and possibly pursuing a career in media. He remains optimistic about the future of Australian football and offers advice to other young Australians struggling with identity: \"Remember, I'm created perfectly the way I am.\"",
  "summary": "Socceroos star Awer Mabil says he was just being himself when he called out Pauline Hanson's plan for a \"monoculture\" in Australia.",
  "key_points": [
    "Socceroo Awer Mabil defends comments on Pauline Hanson's monoculture proposal, calling it \"bulls\"",
    "Football provided escape from hunger and hardship during Mabil's childhood at Kakuma Refugee Camp",
    "Mabil founded charity Barefoot to Boots to provide football equipment to refugees worldwide"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Awer Mabil's defense of multiculturalism reflects his personal experience as a refugee who found escape and identity through football, underscoring the value of diversity in Australian society.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "That viral 'bulls***' moment and how football saved Awer Mabil",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/that-viral-bulls-moment-and-how-football-saved-awer-mabil-5694039",
        "published": "2026-09-05T02:18:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}