The AFL has formally apologised to Richmond AFLW player Kate Dempsey and her family following a social media post that attracted a wave of homophobic abuse.
The post, which featured Dempsey and her two-year-old daughter Pippa during the recent Pride Round, remained unmonitored for over two days, resulting in more than 400 commentsโmany of which were deeply personal and abusive.
The AFL acknowledged its failure in moderating the post, stating, "The AFL would like to formally apologise to Kate and her family for the significant distress caused by these comments."
An AFL spokesperson explained that there are procedures in place for monitoring comments but admitted, "We acknowledge on this occasion that the comments were not removed quickly enough."
The league is now considering disabling comments on specific posts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Richmond Football Club also condemned the abuse directed at Dempsey, describing the comments as "abhorrent" and "deeply disturbing."
"There is zero tolerance for homophobia, discrimination, or any form of hate in our game."
Richmond's new CEO, Shane Dunne, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Kate's story is one to be celebrated."
In a show of solidarity, both Richmond and their upcoming opponent Melbourne will don their Pride jumpers once again during their clash at Casey Fields on Saturday. The AFLW's Pride Round celebrates inclusivity and aims to foster a safe environment for all players and their families.
Dempsey, who married her wife Ellie earlier this year, has spoken candidly about her experiences as a queer woman in the AFLW. Ahead of the Pride Round, she shared insights into her journey, emphasising the importance of representation and acceptance.
"Our daughter won't experience that at all. That is being stomped out very, very quickly," Dempsey noted in a previous interview.
The AFL's apology and the support shown by Richmond serve as reminders of the ongoing need for inclusivity and respect within Australian sport.
