AFL accepts Seven action over 'poofter' comment

Channel Seven ordered AFL commentator Brian Taylor to undergo counselling after he called Geelong's Harry Taylor a "big poofter" on air.

BRIAN_TAYLOR_140713_AAP.jpg

Brian Taylor. (AAP)

High-profile AFL commentator Brian Taylor appears to have avoided suspension over his offensive on-air remark.

Channel Seven has ordered the former Richmond and Collingwood star to undergo counselling after he called Geelong defender Harry Taylor "a big poofter".

Taylor made the comment about his Cats namesake before Saturday night's coverage of the match between Sydney and Carlton.

He apologised for his over-the-top comments at halftime of that game.

The AFL said it was satisfied with how Seven handled the controversy.

"From our point of view, the broadcaster took the necessary and appropriate action," an AFL spokesman said.

He said soon after Taylor's comment went to air, the AFL's head of broadcasting, Simon Lethlean, was on the phone to Seven Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin.

The spokesman said Martin was told Taylor's remark was completely inappropriate and should be withdrawn, along with an apology.

"By the time the call was made, the process at Seven was already underway," the AFL spokesman said.

On Sunday morning, Seven released a statement saying Taylor "sincerely regrets and unreservedly apologises" for the statement.

"At his first opportunity last night at the half-time break, Brian apologised for his remarks, in particular to Harry Taylor and his family and friends," Martin said.

"Comments such as those made last night are unacceptable and should not and will not be tolerated.

"Brian has been censured, and will be supported through counselling and education to ensure this mistake will never happen again."

Taylor was referring to his namesake waving to the crowd last weekend as the Geelong star was chaired from the ground in honour of his 150th game.

"I've just seen that crap from Harry - he's a big poofter," Taylor said.

"I mean, give them this one Harry," Taylor added, making a rude gesture.

"You can't be doing the old royal wave. Next thing you'll have your mum and dad out there."

Fellow Seven commentator Hamish McLachlan said on Seven's Game Day program that Taylor was kicking himself over the incident.

"We apologise, he apologises, and it was a very bad moment last night on TV."

The Herald Sun quoted Harry Taylor as saying he was not offended by the comment.

"We accept the apology, and I certainly accept the apology," Taylor said.

"Our club respects diversity in our game and in our society and I know all of our players are very big on that, and I don't think those things should be said in our game but also in society."

In April, the AFL joined the NRL, ARU, FFA and Cricket Australia, along with high-profile athletes such as rugby league superstar Greg Inglis, to condemn homophobia in sport.

"The AFL does not tolerate discrimination in any form and I'm very proud of our track record or responding to issues," said then-AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

"We embrace diversity through our actions and policies but we know there's still more work to be done."


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