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AFL boss slams vile treatment of Eleni Glouftsis

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has condemned the boss of a country WA football team for vile comments he made online about the AFL's first female field umpire.

According to the West Australian, Cervantes Tiger Sharks president Dale Simmons called Eleni Glouftsis a "dopey mole [sic]" and a "stupid bitch" on Facebook after Essendon's win over West Coast on Sunday.

The 25-year-old schoolteacher officiated well and got some pleasing feedback from AFL umpires' boss Hayden Kennedy, but that didn't stop Mr Simmons launching a scathing attack.

Glouftsis in action. Image: Getty
Glouftsis in action. Image: Getty

"Failed to pay a mark to Mutimer in the first quarter less than 10 m away from her with clear view. Does the dopey mole know that you are allowed to take it one handed if you want?" he wrote.

Mr Simmons also ranted against the AFL Women's League earlier this year, referring to female players as dykes, saying the mother/daughter rule should only apply to the canteen roster, and mocking the notion of equal pay.

McLachlan has since released a statement describing the comments as "completely unacceptable".

"People who hold these attitudes should not be leaders in football clubs," he said.

"Eleni Glouftis is a professional umpire and should be able to do her job without this kind of personal and sexist abuse.

"The AFL has contacted the WA Football Commission to find out what action they will take."

Perth Football Club board member and the first female president of a football league in Australia, Cathy VanderWeide, is also fuming.

"I really thought we had gone past that negativity," she said.

"The work that women do within and behind the scenes in football clubs today is quite exceptional, and I'm really shocked, actually," she said.


A spokesman for the WA Football Commissionsaid said they were extremely disappointed by the comments.

"The West Australian Football Commission is discussing the matter with the WA Country Football League to ensure the appropriate action is taken, and a clear message is sent that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated," he said.

Glouftsis shakes hands with Dyson Heppell. Image: Getty
Glouftsis shakes hands with Dyson Heppell. Image: Getty

with AAP