Dwarf set on fire at party

Allegations that a dwarf performer was set on fire during an Australian Football League club's end-of-season celebrations were being investigated Tuesday.

The league's chief executive Andrew Demetriou has apologised after laughing on ‘live’ television when told of the claims against a St Kilda Saints player, which he said he initially thought were a joke.

Blake Johnston and his colleague Arthur Serevetas were reportedly booked by the Saints to entertain players at their so-called ‘Mad Monday’ event this week, but it allegedly got out of hand.

Channel Nine said a group of players began using a lighter to set fire to each other's clothes as a prank, before one, who has not been named, is said to have turned his attention to Johnston, who is also a wrestler and goes under the moniker Mr Big.

"A player went behind my friend with one of those gas lighters that you light up a stove and basically lit him up," Serevetas told the broadcaster's Footy Classified show.

"Part of his shirt and pants caught on fire. After that someone put it out and he got ticked off and we basically left.

"That was the end of our gig basically."

Johnston was quickly helped by other players and suffered only minor injuries, the reports said.

Serevetas said he considered the St Kilda player's actions as criminal and had advised his colleague to take action.

A club spokesman told AFL.com.au: "The club is investigating and is unable to add anything further at this time."

When Demetriou was told of the incident on live television, he began giggling -- a reaction which sparked angry reaction on social media.

He later apologised, saying he thought it was a joke.

"I was actually giggling at the beginning... because I thought they were having me on. I thought it was a joke," he said.

"After I found out that it was true, it's just reprehensible.
"I was flabbergasted because in the scheme of all the things we've been (through), that would have been one I could never have predicted that we would deal with.

"It wasn't meant to be offensive and I apologise to anyone who is offended."

Aussie Rules has endured a tough season, with Essendon coach James Hird banned for 12 months and the side hit with the biggest fine in the sport's history -- Aus$2.0 million (US$1.8 million) -- over a drug supplements scandal.

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)

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