Adelaide Footy League responds to SA Police officer’s ‘sickening’ comments

The chief of the Adelaide Footy League has given a strong response to a senior SA Police officer who made derogatory comments about a local footy player.

The state’s top local footy league has responded with disgust after a senior SA Police officer made allegedly transphobic and derogatory comments towards a player on its social media page.

The highly experienced officer posted the comments on the Adelaide Footy League’s Facebook page after a women’s match over the weekend in which a transgender player participated.

“So apparently men have no physical advantage playing against women! This is lunacy,” they said.

“A man can’t swim against a woman, how is it right for one to play a physical sport like football against women? It’s not transphobic, it’s science and it’s cheating.

“The Adelaide Football League and the SANFL need to actually be brave and make a stance. This is not okay. By making one person comfortable they are making multiple others uncomfortable.”

Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

A police officer's comments on the Adelaide Footy League Facebook page. Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

Picture: Adelaide Footy League Facebook

The officer also referred to his ‘plums’ in the comments.

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said the league was disappointed by the comments, which they removed.

“We’re really disappointed, even sickened,” Kernahan said.

“We should be celebrating having the privilege to play the game, not dragging others down.

“We are at a loss as to why anyone would impose such vitriolic if not archaic views on a young person attempting to find their way in life. We speak of an awareness to mental health and yet these statements seemingly contradict that.”

Kernahan also emphasised the Adelaide Footy League was supportive of anyone who wanted to participate.

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said the league was sickened by the Facebook comments. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“The Adelaide Footy League is inclusive of any participant eligible to play.

“Our catch cry is strengthening communities through footy. If the league is not a place for all walks of life to call home and play footy, where is?

“It would appear the comments are from a non-registered member of our league so we have no jurisdiction over it, but I’d suggest the social ramifications would be enormous. Our staff have been inundated with complaints (about the comments).

“We take great comfort that as unsavoury as the comments are, they are also being called out by those who have no connection to the player. Any vilification of any genre needs to be addressed by more important people than the regulators, being the community at large.”

John Kernahan said he was pleased with the community’s response to the comments. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The SANFL, which was implicated in the comments, added that social inclusion was of the utmost importance in local competitions.

“In accordance with the AFL Community Football Gender Diversity Policy, it is our view that all people are provided with an opportunity to participate in community football.

“It is the SANFL and AFL’s view that, in community football, considerations of social inclusion have greater priority than concerns that may exist with respect to competitive advantage in relation to the participation of gender diverse players.”

SA Police said it was aware of the posts on social media and was investigating the matter.

“South Australia Police notes these comments reflect an individual’s personal opinion.

“SA Police is a diverse and inclusive organisation where all people are safe and respected and supported to reach their potential.

“We are aware of the social media post and the matter is now under investigations by the Ethical and Professional Standards Branch.”

The officer in question was contacted by The Messenger but did not make comment.