American rapper Snoop Dogg stated he was “in love” with Australian Guidelines soccer on Thursday, forward of his efficiency on the sport’s grand remaining.

The 53-year-old will take to the stage on the Melbourne Cricket Floor on Saturday, which will probably be jammed with as much as 100,000 followers watching as Geelong face Brisbane.

“I’ve been coming to this nation for years and I perceive what this recreation is and what it means,” he informed Australian media at a operate the place no questions had been permitted.

“I do know that it’s not only a sport, it’s a lifestyle. I simply fell in love with the game,” he added.

“I at all times would watch it, however by no means actually understood it.

“It jogged my memory of American soccer, rugby and a few different issues, however now that I perceive it, I prefer it and need to know extra about it earlier than the grand finale.”

AFL, which has similarities to Eire’s Gaelic soccer, traces its roots again to 1858 and is Australia’s hottest spectator sport.

Snoop Dogg’s decide because the grand remaining leisure has been divisive in Australia, given his previous use of misogynistic and offensive lyrics in a few of his songs.

The AFL was accused of hypocrisy for hiring him in August whereas on the identical time banning Adelaide star Izak Rankine for 4 video games over a homophobic slur in opposition to an opponent.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon defended the choice to rent the American, whose actual identify is Calvin Broadus.

“I’ve been actually assured with the selection of Snoop,” he stated.

“He’s carried out on the Olympics, he’s carried out at a Tremendous Bowl and he’ll swimsuit our stage.”

Earlier grand remaining performers have included Katy Perry and Robbie Williams.

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