AFL club president stood down, fined for sexist comments about league’s first woman umpire

The president of a country football team in Western Australia has been fined its league’s maximum penalty and stood down from his position for making sexist comments on social media about women in the AFL.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Cervantes Tiger Sharks president Dale Simmons labelled AFL umpire Eleni Glouftsis a “dopey mole [sic]” and a “stupid b****” on his public Facebook page.

Mr Simmons also said she would change her mind on umpiring decisions because she was a woman.

Yesterday he was fined $1,000 by the Central Midlands Coastal Football League (CMCFL) after consultation with the Western Australian Football Commission and the WA Country Football League (WACFL).

A statement released by the commission said Mr Simmons had agreed to step down as president of the Cervantes Tiger Sharks club.

Club committee member Rayelene Wright has replaced Mr Simmons.

In the statement, WAFC chief executive Gavin Taylor said any form of disrespect towards women was completely unacceptable and the commission was committed to creating more opportunities for women to take on key leadership roles within the game.

CMCFL president Steve Gilbert told ABC Radio the league supported the commission’s stance.

“We fully support the (WAFC) statement and we back it wholly,” Mr Gilbert said.

“(Women) do a magnificent job.

“Without women in our football clubs, I’m sure that many football clubs wouldn’t operate.”

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Mr Gilbert said the incident was isolated and Mr Simmons would probably take time off from volunteering at the club.

A statement on the Cervantes Tiger Sharks Facebook page said Mr Simmons’ comments were “inappropriate and not the views of the football club”.

The club highlighted Mr Simmons’ 30-year involvement as “president, coach, team manager, umpire, secretary, media personnel (sic), jumper washer, player communications and many more”.

“The Club is excited to appoint a female president in Rayelene Wright,” the statement said.

“We now look forward to putting this matter behind us and a positive end to the 2017 season.”

In a statement, Mr Simmons said he was “genuinely sorry” for his comments.

“I apologise for my actions and have agreed to step down as president in the best interests of the Cervantes Football Club,” he said.

Source: AFL club president stood down, fined for sexist comments about league’s first woman umpire – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)