Responding to a letter from a Geelong woman with a gay son, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan clarified that the league supported marriage equality and would not tolerate homophobia amongst its clubs.
"The AFL will keep saying no matter how many times it takes, that our game does not tolerate discrimination in any form, be that sexual identity, gender, race (or) religious views ... we also support the position of marriage equality for all people," Mr McLachlan wrote.
"This matter is a serious issue for many young gay people, in terms of how they are treated in the wider community, and football leaders such as myself will continue to say that we do not tolerate it, and will continue to push for a change in behaviour from all sections of society."
Sharyn Faulkner had written urging the league to pledge support for same-sex marriage, saying that the move would encourage young people struggling with sexuality to have the courage to "realise just who they are".
She applauded Mr McLachlan's stance towards the issue and hoped all AFL Club Presidents would make the same commitment.