Snoop Dogg controversy rears its head just days before his AFL grand final show as he suddenly cancels performance

American hip hop icon Snoop Dogg has cancelled his sole New Zealand concert, just days before the event was scheduled to take place.

The rapper was planning to do a one-off show in Auckland on September 20 before heading to Australia to perform at the AFL decider the following weekend.

However, promoter 4ward Entertainment announced on Wednesday that the show had been scrapped.

'Due to circumstances beyond our control, Snoop Dogg will no longer be performing in Auckland this weekend,' the post read. 

'We apologise to all fans who were looking forward to the show on Saturday, September 20. We understand the disappointment and inconvenience caused.

'Our goal was to deliver a first-class, New Zealand-first show and we are saddened this is no longer possible.'

The news comes after it was recently revealed that the show's promoter, Pato Alvarez, was accused of sexual assaults against multiple women.

Alvarez was sentenced to 12 months of home detention following a 12-week trial in 2023 in which he'd been found not guilty of 23 charges and guilty of two.

Alvarez last week confirmed that he is the promoter of the show.

'Snoop Dogg's team contacted us directly, wanting to stop in New Zealand for a special performance on his way to Australia,' he told Stuff.

'I am the promoter of the event for NZ Touring & Events Limited.'

Last month, Snoop sparked calls for the AFL to cancel his performance after controversial comments on same-sex relationships.

The rapper's selection to perform at the AFL's showpiece event divided Aussies, with some saying that the league is undermining its commitment to respecting women.

Footy legend Brendan Fevola predicted that the AFL would axe Snoop from his headlining gig.

'On Snoop, I might have some goss about that,' Fevola told 101.9 The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick.

'They're going to axe him. Because of his lyrics in his song and he talked about gay parents over the weekend,' he said.

'I think he will get the a**e, and they are going to go for an Aussie artist to play at the MCG.

'That will happen, take that to the bank. He will get the [a**e], which he should.'

A strong line-up of Aussie artists will join the rapper at the MCG on September 27, including Baker Boy, Tash Sultana and Vera Blue.