Commission supports AFL vilification policy

01/06/2009

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission has welcomed the AFL's move to expand its vilification policy to include sexual preference and disability.

The League has advised clubs in writing that sexual orientation, preference or identity, and disability - including a disease or illness - have been added to cover players and officials.

League boss Andrew Demetriou said that while no specific incident had sparked the policy change, announced yesterday, vilification is simply unacceptable.

Commission Acting CEO, Chris Thwaites, supports the AFL decision.

"Sport in general and football in particular play an important part in the lives of many Victorians," he said.

"Football players, especially those at an elite level such as the AFL, carry a responsibility as role models for their behaviour on and off the field."

The Commission reinforces that bad behaviour in sport is unacceptable in its Play by the Rules campaign, an interactive web-based resource designed to help schools, sporting associations and clubs ensure that sport is safe and free from discrimination and harassment.

Last year, the Commission developed a customised training strategy for the AFL around its Respect and Responsibility Policy regarding anti-sexual harassment and anti-discrimination.