He might be the ex-boyfriend of Kendall Jenner and is known as Australia’s highest paid athlete, but this celebrity status didn’t stop him from being denied entry into a popular Aussie casino.
Ben Simmons, who is signed to a $242 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA, was reportedly refused entry into the Crown Casino in Melbourne last night, along with some of his friends.
Following the incident, Ben posted a video to his Instagram account, alleging that he wasn’t allowed in due to the colour of his skin.
Ben alleged that it was a race issue as his friends with white skin were allowed in while he and his friends with black skin were not.
The video has since been removed.
Since making the serious claims, Australian entertainment reporter Peter Ford has taken to Instagram to defend Crown Casino, claiming that Ben wasn’t telling the whole story.
Peter Ford wrote on Twitter, saying that Ben was denied entry beacause he didn’t meet the dress code requirements and he refused to show his ID.
“Ben Simmons should check the dress code of Crown,” he wrote. “Applies to anyone famous or not and any skin colour. He was wearing camouflage pants.”
Ben Simmons should check the dress code of Crown. Applies to anyone famous or not and any skin colour. He was wearing camouflage pants. pic.twitter.com/pkfh21Xrr0
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) August 5, 2019
With greatest respect I suggest you look more closely. pic.twitter.com/1DImipx0MK
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) August 5, 2019
Peter Ford posted the tweet accompanied by an image of the dress code and an image of Ben Simmons wearing the camo pants.
After someone asked Mr Ford if Ben’s friends were also wearing clothing that didn’t meet the dress code, Peter Ford claimed that he was unsure but knew that they refused to provide ID.
“They refused to show ID to security,” he wrote. “Yet it’s easier to turn it into a race issue and go for the sympathy vote.”
Can’t see any more camouflage. Caps would be an issue but easily removed. However they refused to show ID to security.
Yet it’s easier to turn it into a race issue and go for the sympathy vote.— Peter Ford (@mrpford) August 5, 2019
Ben Simmons has since replied to Peter Ford on Twitter, claiming that his friend who was allowed entry into the casino was also wearing camouflage pants.
My friend who got let in also had camouflage pants on ..
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) August 5, 2019
Peter Ford replied by asking Ben if he was claiming that he refused to show his ID, saying that there was proof of this on CCTV footage.
Do you deny you refused to show ID? Crown security guards and CCTV vision will suggests otherwise.
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) August 5, 2019
“He and friends were also disrespectful to security guards,” he added.
He and friends were also disrespectful to security guards
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) August 5, 2019
Crown Casino has not yet commented on the incident.
