MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Hawks President Jeff Kennett celebrates the win during the round 21 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has questioned the security staff seen in AFL crowds over the weekend, suggesting they may not be the best fits for the job given they are "new arrivals" to Australia.

Kennett made the comments on 3AW on Monday morning, suggesting those who patrol the crowds have a poor knowledge of the sport.

“I’m not being racist when I say this, but when I saw some of the footage, the people who are making judgements while they wear these authoritative coats are not people who appear to have a great knowledge of our game,” Kennett said.

“And yet they make judgements about what’s correct and what’s not correct.

“They are new arrivals to Australia, it appears. We don’t know that and they could be born here.”

Kennett went on to say the AFL shouldn't have to get involved in all of society's off-field issues.

“The AFL has done a great number of very good things in developing our code. But they have allowed themselves to become the sort of social benchmark for every social issue in the community,” Kennett said.

“Whether it is same-sex marriage, whether it is racism, whether it is crowd behaviour. That’s not their job.

“The AFL have got to understand they have a massive responsibility to the welfare of all those who attend the games because that is the moment of time when the fans can get away from home, get away from work and just watch their tribe perform in a competitive battle. That’s when they can let their emotions run free.”