Fox Sports has apologised after it aired a comedy sketch that depicted Adolf Hitler as one of the cardboard cutouts sitting in the crowd of an NRL match.

Fox showed a photoshopped image of Hitler in the crowd during Manly’s clash with Canterbury on Sunday Night with Matty Johns, drawing immediate criticism online.

“Fox Sports is very concerned by an incident involving an inappropriate image shown as part of a segment discussing NRL crowd cutouts,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

“We are currently reviewing the circumstances and examining the action we need to ensure those involved understand it is not acceptable.

“We sincerely apologise for the offence the image has caused.”

Johns reportedly called NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff on Monday to apologise personally, according to the Australian Jewish News.

He has also vowed to apologise when he is next on air.

It came after Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin hit out at the broadcaster over the incident on Twitter.

“This sort of stupidity, the casualisation of Hitler, Nazis, and by extension their crimes, is what leads to swastikas being graffitied throughout our cities and school kids being harassed with gas chamber jokes,” he tweeted.

“@MattyShowsFox should tell their viewers it’s not on.”