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

Footy star turned radio identity Ryan Fitzgerald has been left in disbelief after the South Australian Tourism Commission was caught trying to ban journalists from using the word ‘Radelaide’ during the AFL’s Gather Round.

3AW Radio host Heidi Murphy confirmed the bizarre directive, which also told reporters 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 his thoughts.

‘That is ridiculous,’ the NOVA FM presenter told Murphy.

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

Footy star turned radio identity Ryan Fitzgerald was in disbelief after the South Australian Tourism Commission was caught trying to ban journalists from using the word ‘Radelaide’ during the AFL’s Gather Round

3AW Radio host Heidi Murphy confirmed the bizarre directive, which also encouraged reporters 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 encouraging listeners – and scribes – to call Adelaide ‘whatever you want’ (pictured, a panoramic view of Adelaide’s CBD)

‘Adelaide is not abundant with many churches, but the ones we do have are nice.’

Fitzgerald wasn’t finished yet, encouraging listeners – and scribes – to call Adelaide ‘whatever you want.’

‘When it comes to Radelaide, I love it, I use the term myself,’ he added.

‘To be honest, they [SA Government and Tourism Commission] should be happy people are over here for the footy during Gather Round, contributing to the economy.

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

The memo from the Commission told reporters to drop the terms under a heading called ‘content exclusions’.

‘Please don’t refer to Adelaide as RADelaide. Please don’t refer to Adelaide as the City of Churches,’ it read.

Gather Round started 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 standout fixture Fremantle versus Carlton, who are both undefeated in 2024.

Daily Mail Australia approached the South Australian Tourism Commission for comment.