Why The Project has angered entire nation
<p><em>The Project</em> hosts Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar have been accused of sparking tensions between Australia and Honduras ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup qualification play-off.</p>
<p>Honduras football president Jorge Salomon was joined by media commentators in condemning the comments made by the TV hosts during an interview with Socceroos player Tim Cahill.</p>
<p>The comments that have come under scrutiny, which suggest it is not safe for the Socceroos to be travelling to the “murder capital of the world”, have appeared in media outlets all over the country.</p>
<p>Tim Cahill has been required to address concerns about the lack of respect <em>The Project</em> hosts have shown to the nation.</p>
<p>The comments have been taken seriously in Honduras to the point that star Honduran soccer player Antony Lozano said his team will be aiming to “kill them off” when asked about the upcoming game against the Socceroos.</p>
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<p>The incident started when Aly suggested it was unsafe for the Aussie team to travel to Honduras.</p>
<p>He said, “I decided to do some googling of Honduras and it turns out we’re going to San Pedro Sula which apparently is — or once was — the murder capital of the world. So, anyway, good luck without me. Do you think it’s a good idea that you win?”</p>
<p>Then Helliar drew comparisons between playing against Honduras and playing against “ISIS”.</p>
<p>“So you beat Syria. Now you’re going to the murder capital of the world. If you win this, I think you play ISIS.” </p>
<p>Tim Cahill made an appearance on <em>The Project</em> to promote Channel 10’s new broadcasting arrangement to screen A-League games. However, after Australia’s World Cup qualification play-off win against Syria, all the focus shifted to the upcoming game.</p>
<p>Honduras football president Salomon called a press conference to try and make known the “real” Honduras.</p>
<p>“We are upset with some Australian media that have put the name of Honduras in bad, they have played with the name of our country, that has bothered us all and I think it is something we cannot allow,” Salomon said according to <em>Diario Mas</em>.</p>
<p>“Everything that Australian media has published is false, that’s why we want to show you through videos the real Honduras”</p>
<p>Until recently, San Pedro Sula was deemed as the world’s most dangerous city with a homicide rate of 112 killings per 100,000 people.</p>
<p>As of four years ago there have been increased military and police patrols and aggressive street crack downs, with authorities insisting that crime rate has improved.</p>
<p>Do you think what Waleed and Peter said was offensive? Or do you think they were light-hearted comments that have been blown out of proportion? Let us know in the comments below.</p>
