Advocates for the promotion of anti-gay discrimination in the Australian Football League (AFL) have accused the organisation of “sweeping homophobia under the carpet”.

The allegation came as a response to the ongoing sexual discrimination case mounted by Mansfield resident Ken Campagnolo, who was stood down as a volunteer trainer for the Bonnie Doon Football Club when he was outed as bisexual.

As reported in MCV last week, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has ruled the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) must implement policies and training programs addressing sexual discrimination as a result of the Campagnolo case.

Campagnolo also filed a discrimination complaint against the AFL, to be heard by the Commission this week (Wednesday June 17, the day after MCV goes to print); as he believes the AFL is not taking responsibility for implementing a sexuality-specific anti-gay discrimination policy.

Rob Mitchell from RJM Trust, who is assisting Campagnolo, told MCV: “The AFL is saying their anti-homophobia discrimination policy applies only to players and administrators who compete in the AFL, but they also say that they are the peak body all sub-leagues, such as the VCFL, refer to. It’s now up to them to take the initiative.

“If the AFL did for discrimination against same-sex attracted people what they did for racism, the potential for good cannot be overestimated,” he added.

The day prior to Wednesday’s hearing, MCV spoke to AFL Media Manager Patrick Keane, in regards to the existence of homophobia in the AFL.

“From my understanding it is rare,” Keane said.

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