The suggestion that Australia is not a multicultural society is "bullshit", Socceroo Awer Mabil has said, following Pauline Hanson's claim that the national team embodies her vision of a monocultural Australia.
Mabil returned to Australia on Monday after featuring in the Socceroos' 4-2 defeat on penalties to Egypt in the World Cup round of 32.
Asked by reporters about suggestions that Australia was not a multicultural society, Mabil said "it's just all bullshit".
Despite being used as a political football, the Socceroos had not been distracted, he said.
"We know what we represent. We represent Australia at the biggest stage, and Australia ... is the best country in the world, and the Socceroos is the best representation of that," he told reporters at Adelaide airport.
"If anybody's trying to divide that, then they're probably not Australian themselves, in a sense, respectfully. Because Australia is very inclusive, includes everybody. That's what the Socceroos is."
Born in a Kenyan refugee camp to South Sudanese parents, the winger migrated to Australia as a child and later became an Australian citizen.
Mabil was named Young Australian of the Year in 2023, in recognition of his charity work providing health and education opportunities to refugee communities.
Earlier in the tournament, the Socceroos released a video message embracing their diverse heritage and migrant roots.
"The Socceroos aren't just a team, we are a reflection of modern Australia," said veteran midfielder Jackson Irvine.
Following an address to the National Press Club in June in which she claimed multiculturalism had failed in Australia, One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson said the Socceroos were a successful example of people of different backgrounds uniting under one flag.
"The Socceroos, in fact, represent my vision of a ... monocultural Australia," Senator Hanson said.
Multiculturalism was seen as a positive within the Socceroos camp, Mabil said.
"You don't pick where you're born, you don't pick the colour of your skin, you pick to be a good human being. That's a choice," he said.
"Some people, they choose to go against being good, then that's their own problem. Then they're missing out on what others can bring, and that's what multicultural does. It brings other flavours to the table instead of just one thing."
