RADIO host Steve Price has backed John Burns, saying he did not hear him call Richmond star Bachar Houli a “terrorist”.

On The Project tonight Price said: “I was there and sitting with John Burns. I didn’t hear that comment at all. So I’m not doubting that the Richmond person says he heard it but I didn’t hear it.”

But if he said it, Price added that “he should apologise to everybody”.

Burns was revealed as the media identity who allegedly called Houli a “terrorist” earlier today.

It came after The Herald Sun revealed a media identity had been accused of a slur against Houli at the MCG on Friday night.

The comment during the match, won by Melbourne, was heard by a senior Richmond staff member.

Burns had emphatically denied on radio this morning he was the person accused of making the remark.

But Burns told 3AW this afternoon: “I don’t recall what I said.”

“If I said something that is offensive then that is mortifying.”

Burns said he wasn’t drunk and if he had made the comment he would “apologise profusely” to Richmond and Houli.

Asked if he could have said something else that was misheard, he said: “I can’t answer that question, I didn’t say ‘accidental tourist’ or anything like that, I wouldn’t think. I can’t remember saying something that I intended to be offensive to anybody.”

The abuse allegation centres on Richmond’s official match function during the first quarter of the game.

Burns was sitting in seats outside the Olympic Room where the function was based with Sydney radio host Steve Price.

“The game was underway and a person in front of me turned around and said, ‘What did you say?,” Burns said.

“I don’t recall what I said but he alleged I made a comment that was offensive — I don’t recall that comment.

“He says that I did, what he heard I don’t know ... I can’t remember what the comment was, I don’t remember making it.”

In a statement this afternoon, Richmond said it supported the staff member’s version of events.

“The club fully supports the staff member who brought this issue to its attention and accepts his version of events,” the statement said.

“We also accept the apology and now consider the matter closed.

Radio 3AW is backing Burns’s version of events.

“3AW accepts John Burns’ account of the events on Friday night and the sincerity of his apology and like the Richmond Football Club, we now consider the matter closed,” station management said in a statement.

On his 3AW breakfast program this morning Burns was asked by fellow host Ross Stevenson if he was the “prominent media figure” referred in today’s Herald Sun’s backpage story about the Houli slur.

“No, it wasn’t me ... certainly not,” Burns said.

Tigers captain Trent Cotchin said earlier he would be disappointing if his teammate had been vilified.

“There’s no place for it in our game,” Cotchin said this morning.

“It’s disappointing to see and hear and as a collective we need to make a stronger stand on it.”

Cotchin said he had yet to discuss the incident with Houli.

“I will make sure he’s OK but he’s one of those guys — he won’t want it to be about him, he will want it to be more about what’s right and wrong and I’m sure there will be a resolution,” Cotchin said.

“It doesn’t just happen in Australia or Australian football, it happens all over the world and we just need to create a better environment and a better culture throughout our world.”

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Cotchin said he was unsure whether the identity of the media figure should be made public.

The AFL on Sunday night said it was aware of the allegation under investigation.

Houli became the first Muslim to play the game at the highest level after he was taken by Essendon in the 2006 draft.

Houli, who turns 27 next month, has been a regular for the Tigers since joining Richmond from the Bombers before the 2011 season.

He has played 118 games and has been a strong voice for racial and religious understanding, working for the AFL as a multicultural ambassador.

The alleged abuse is the second such incident in as many weeks at the MCG.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong accepted the apology of a Richmond fan after an incident during the Round 2 match between the Dogs and Richmond.

— with AAP