Commentator slams AFL as footy storm erupts over ‘vile’ photo scandal

A footy commentator has slammed the AFL for its response after a player copped “vile and derogatory” abuse on its own platform.

Former AFLW player turned commentator Kate McCarthy has slammed league bosses for not supporting Richmond star Kate Dempsey in the wake of homophobic attacks on social media.

Dempsey, 29, wrote a column about her family and journey as a queer woman ahead of her 50th game on October 12, which was during the AFLW’s Pride Round.

She paid tribute to her wife Ellie and two-year-old daughter Pippa, while reflecting on her path from a youngster to playing in the AFLW.

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“Even when allowed to play, I remember kicking a goal and not one of the boys on my team giving me a high five, because they didn’t want to touch ‘the girl’,” Dempsey wrote.

“I’m not angry at those boys, I don’t believe they were trying to exclude me. But boy, do I still feel sad for that little girl sometimes. Everywhere she gravitated towards, everywhere she felt most comfortable, she was told she didn’t belong.

“In Pippa’s world, this is normal. Women play football. Women are athletes. Sporty girls belong.

“Pride in my family and for my career … and Pride that this competition embraces us all for who we were born to be.”

Richmond AFLW player Kate Dempsey and partner Ellie George. Picture: Ian Currie

Kate Dempsey with daughter Pippa. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The piece was shared on the AFLW’s official social media accounts, featuring a photo of Dempsey and her daughter.

It was left open to comments on Facebook, and many of the 400 interactions were trolls writing homophobic attacks on both Dempsey and her family.

Richmond condemned the comments last Tuesday, and the AFLW removed the post two days after it was posted once being alerted by the Tigers.

The AFLW issued an apology on Friday, but McCarthy criticised league bosses for not acting quick enough to support Demspey.

“The post attracted more than 400 vile and derogatory comments,” McCarthy said on Seven’s Talking W program.

“The AFL then released a statement on Friday morning ... almost three days later, apologising to Kate and her family.

“This statement was made by an unknown AFL spokesperson, the same spokesperson explained that there were procedures in place for monitoring comments but admitted (the comments were not removed quickly enough).”

Kate McCarthy wanted the AFLW to do more to support Kate Dempsey.

“It is my understanding that no one from the AFL has personally reached out to Kate and her family, neither has any spokesperson or leader from the AFL spoken out in support of Kate and her family.

“Andrew Dillon (CEO), Laura Kane (football manager) and Emma Moore (AFLW football manager) have had media involvements since the incident and have not addressed it at all.

“This whole experience has left Kate deeply affected and taken a significant toll on her.

“She shared her story in the hope that it would help others who are potentially battling with their sexuality, and this was the fallout.

“Enough is enough.

“These homophobic, sexist, racist comments online must stop.

“Kate, Ellie and Pippa, everyone here at Talking W and the wider AFLW community is behind you, and loves you.

“We throw our arms around you.”

Kate Dempsey (left) and Monique Conti of the Tigers. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond’s statement condemned the abuse and said Dempsey’s story “deserves to be celebrated”.

“Instead, some individuals chose to make deeply disturbing and unacceptable comments,” the Tigers said in a statement.

“Richmond Football Club condemns the recent abhorrent and homophobic remarks directed at AFLW player Kate Dempsey and her family online.

“Richmond Football Club accepts diversity in all its forms. There is zero tolerance for homophobia, discrimination or any form of hate in our game. In short, everyone has the right to feel safe.”

The league apologised last week in a statement to the Herald Sun.

“The AFL would like to apologise formally to Kate and her family for the significant distress caused by these comments,” an AFL spokesperson said.

“We have processes in place to monitor and moderate comments on the AFL’s social media pages, and we have staff members engaged both during the week and over the weekend to review and remove comments where required.

“We acknowledge on this occasion that the comments were not removed quickly enough and we are looking at ways to improve the process in the future, including disabling comments on posts.

“Vilification of any nature towards players and their families is completely unacceptable and the AFL is committed to providing a safe environment that protects players and their families.”