Socceroos legend Craig Foster has been slammed for the way he turned down an opportunity to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla on their upcoming tour of Australia.
The former co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement recently received an invite from NSW Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna to attend a function where he would be 'in the presence of' the royal couple, who begin their journey down under on October 18.
Foster took to X to reply: 'Thanks Anna and @ChrisMinnsMP. But, no thanks. I look forward to being 'in the presence of' our first Aussie Head of State. When we put our big pants on, as a country.'
His statement drew a wave of criticism from Aussies, with many accusing him of grandstanding by making his thoughts public.
'Why the need to decline so publicly?' wrote TV entertainment reporter Peter Ford.
'I can't stand Charlie either but you can quietly decline an invitation in private,' another commenter said.
'What an adolescent exhibitionist post. Nobody cares,' wrote a third.
'Name a single person who we could all agree on as a head of state. We'd pick a pop star. He's a great King. Show a bit of humility and go,' added another.
Socceroos great Craig Foster has been blasted an 'adolescent' and a 'man child' as he divided Australians with his harsh response to an invite to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla
The royals will begin their tour of Australia on October 18
Foster drew heavy criticism for this post on X, with many slamming him for not keeping his reaction private
Other Aussies told Foster that the King and Queen wouldn't even notice his absence.
'King Charles III will be devastated by this snub,' one wrote, while others said, 'Man child won't be missed' and 'Who is Craig Foster'.
Former Victorian Labor MP Philip Dalidakis didn't hold back with his criticism.
'What a self indulgent little child you are @Craig_Foster,' he wrote.
'Firstly to big note yourself by showing everyone you were invited to the State's community reception for the King. Hopefully they don't make that mistake again.
'Secondly to share the invite publicly & embarrass & Mrs Minns by refusing the invite.
'Thirdly, whatever you think of Charles & the monarchy, he is still deserving of respect for the work he does and the causes he champions. I too am an @AusRepublic supporter and look forward to the day we have our own head of state, but until try to show a little bit of class.'
However, plenty of Aussies backed the 55-year-old's anti-royal stance.
'Yes. It is well past time to stand on our own two feet,' one wrote.
'Thank-you for not supporting those ‘representing’ us, solely because they were born into a selective, medieval, breeding program, that hoard wealth & power, to pass onto to the next generation,' another said.
Former Victorian MP Philip Dalidakis didn't hold back when he responded to Foster
'Thank you for speaking on behalf of most Australians. Why are we wasting tax $$$ on these parasites?' added a third.
Foster made headlines in May when he stepped down as co-chair of the ARM along with Aussie Olympics great Nova Peris.
Ms Peris said her decision to step down was due to her belief Mr Foster's decision to write to Football Australia, the International Federation of Association Football and the West Asian Football Federation asking them asking them to suspend Israel from an upcoming FIFA conference 'had created division'.
The former Socceroos star published his letter online, which explained that the International Court of Justice had deemed Israel's actions as 'plausible genocide'.
'Every member of the football community and your governing body, Football Australia has a duty of care to do everything possible to stop genocide wherever, and whenever it occurs,' he said.
But Ms Peris said his comments had created division within not only ARM but also across the country.