- Football commentator and former player Kate McCarthy slams AFL bosses
- Player Kate Dempsey faced homophobic attacks on AFL platforms
- McCarthy says homophobic, sexist and racist comments online must stop
Channel Seven commentator Kate McCarthy has criticized AFL bosses for failing to support soccer star Kate Dempsey following “vile” homophobic attacks against her on social media.
Richmond AFLW star Dempsey recently wrote a column about her journey as a queer woman.
The story, which was published during the AFLW Pride Round, also paid emotional tribute to his two-year-old daughter Pippa and his wife Ellie.
“Even when I was allowed to play, I remember kicking a goal and none of the guys on my team high-fived me because they didn’t want to touch ‘the girl,'” Dempsey wrote.
‘I’m not mad at those guys, I don’t think they were trying to exclude me. But wow, sometimes I still feel sad for that girl. Wherever she gravitated, wherever she felt most comfortable, she was told she didn’t belong.
‘In Pippa’s world, this is normal. Women play soccer. Women are athletes. Sporty girls belong.
“Pride in my family and my career…and pride that this competition embraces us all for who we were born to be.”
The story was shared on AFLW social media, along with a photo of Dempsey and his daughter, and attracted hundreds of disgusting and homophobic comments.
Kate Dempsey (pictured with daughter Pippa) faced homophobic abuse on social media after writing about her football journey.
Former AFLW player turned commentator Kate McCarthy (pictured) has slammed league bosses for not supporting Dempsey after she took charge of online abuse.
Richmond criticized the comments and alerted the AFLW to the matter, but it reportedly took two days to remove it from its platforms.
According to McCarthy, they did not act quickly enough to support the player.
“The post attracted more than 400 vile and derogatory comments,” McCarthy said on Seven’s Talking W programme.
‘The AFL then issued a statement on Friday morning… almost three days later, apologizing to Kate and her family.
“This statement was made by an unknown AFL spokesperson. The same spokesperson explained that there were procedures in place to monitor comments, but admitted that (the comments were not removed quickly enough).”
“It is my understanding that no one from the AFL has personally approached Kate and her family, nor have any AFL spokespersons or leaders spoken out in support of Kate and her family.
McCarthy (pictured with the ball while playing for Richmond this year) says homophobic, sexist and racist comments online must end
Dempsey is pictured with his daughter Pippa before his 50th game this season.
‘Andrew Dillon (CEO), Laura Kane (director of football) and Emma Moore (AFLW director of football) have been involved with the media since the incident and have not addressed the issue at all.
“This entire experience has left Kate deeply affected and has taken a significant toll on her.
‘She shared her story in the hope that it would help other people who are potentially struggling with their sexuality, and these were the consequences.
‘That’s enough.
“These homophobic, sexist and racist comments online must stop.”