Sam Newman has defended an Adelaide supporter who painted her face black for a crow costume in support of her team.The former footballer criticised those who objected to the outfit worn at Saturday’s AFL elimination final between the Adelaide Crows and Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, referring to the supporter as a man.’Crows are black. He painted his face black, put on a beak and the colours of the Crows uniform, and he went to the football,’ Newman said on his podcast You Cannot Be Serious.’Some of the screaming cuckoos and the banshees have started screaming that he’s painted his face black. Well, if you wanted to pretend you’re a crow and crows are black, what better way to do it?’He also took aim at those who considered the costume as ‘blackface’.’You can’t make this stuff up. This is the world we live in. Not the world I’m living in at the minute over here, thank heavens.’ Sam Newman defended an Adelaide supporter who painted her face black while dressed as mascot Claude the Crow Colleen McKaye wore black face paint and a beak during Adelaide’s elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs Ms McKaye said her costume was never intended to offend and explained the black paint made it more realisticOn Monday, the Daily Mail reported that club stalwart Colleen McKaye was at the centre of the controversy.Ms McKaye, 59, wore black face paint while dressed as Adelaide mascot Claude the Crow during the game.The costume included a black hood with a beak, feathered wings, black gloves and a red bow tie. Claude has been the team’s mascot since its inaugural season in 1991.After being shown on TV cameras in the stands, images of Ms McKaye sitting with the Crows cheer squad circulated online.The Carlton Cheersquad criticised the outfit on Instagram, writing: ‘@adelaidefc cheersquad in blackface? What the actual f***?’Other supporters defended Ms McKaye, arguing she had dressed as the club’s mascot.Her son James told the Daily Mail the reaction had taken a toll on his mother, who had stopped answering calls.’I’ve had all her friends messaging me worried because she’s not answering her phone. She’s not doing too great after everything. Ms McKaye’s son James said she had stopped answering calls as concerned friends contacted him following the online backlash Ms McKaye was named the AFL Fans Association Female Fan of the Year in 2018 for her supporter contributions’She’s just a person who loves her footy club so to be painted as a racist [is just awful for her].’Ms McKaye said the costume was not intended to offend and explained she used the face paint to make it ‘more realistic’.’That’s why I’ve got black gloves as well,’ she told The Advertiser after the match.’A lot of people have thought the costume was cool and have asked to get photos with me.’The Crows Supporter Group public officer has spent years helping fellow fans attend matches, making banners and organising travel and tickets.She was named the AFL Fans Association Female Fan of the Year in 2018.At the time, Ms McKaye told the Adelaide Football Club: ‘I live and breathe the Crows and so much of my time is spent supporting them.’ ‘I get to games three or four hours before the bounce to help set up,’ she said.Crows supporter group president Peter Kauschke also defended her following the controversy.’It’s sad about all the comments,’ Mr Kauschke said.’However, yes, she purchased a costume and replicated Claude the Crow. She had the red bow due to the headpiece coming off.’