Australian Football League bosses have hit back at singer Meat Loaf, in what is turning into an almost comical slanging match, following the US rock star's disastrous performance at this year's Aussie rules grand final.
AFL bosses have defended themselves against Meat Loaf's horror effort at what was meant to be one of the nation's premier sporting events, saying they booked a world-class act who "just couldn't sing."
On Saturday Meat Loaf slammed AFL bosses as "jerks" and labeled critics of his performance as "butt smellers," after he was widely panned and described by many fans as the worst entertainment the league has put on.
The 64-year-old even vowed to convince other artists not to perform in future at the event — the local equivalent of the Super Bowl — following his poor treatment.
The league paid an estimated fee of AU$600,000 (US$641,000) to secure Meat Loaf, who was conducting a national tour across Australia.
AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said the league had conducted its due diligence on Meat Loaf.
"He was booked for a national tour, [Michael] Gudinski was his promoter and had everything on the line, and the guy turned up and just couldn't sing.
"He had asthma. I don't know what happened but he couldn't sing at a particular temperature."
