AFL apologises after fans refused entry to Brisbane Lions match for wearing pro Voice T-shirts

The AFL has apologised to a pair of fans turned away from an AFLW fixture in Brisbane on Sunday for wearing t-shirts with slogans supporting a 'yes' vote in the upcoming Voice referendum.

Lining up to attend the Brisbane Lions home AFLW fixture at the Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield, Elise Read, wearing a 'history is calling' T-shirt, said she was taken out of the queue at the gate with a security guard allegdly telling her it was banned because it was too political.

Read claimed that she wasn’t allowed to cover it with a hoodie, or turn it inside out, but was allowed to enter the ground after changing her shirt.

Another fan was reported as being treated in the same way.

The action is understood to have resulted from a contracted security guard enforcing AFL ticketing rules which say patrons must not “wear or otherwise display commercial, political, religious or offensive signage or logos of any kind”.

However, as of today, AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan, said the clause banning political statements on clothing at games does not apply to shirts like the one singled out on Sunday.

Advising that the incident “should not have happened" and stating "I apologise to the AFLW supporter", McLachlan explained "people who are expressing their own views coming to games in a T-shirt, it’s absolutely their right to do that.”

The Brisbane Lions said an overzealous contracted security guard had refused patrons entry to the new home of their AFLW team.

A spokesperson advised "we’re aware of the incident and have contacted the patron(s) to apologise."

The Lions have recently switched home grounds from Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast to the Brighton Homes Arena.

Image: Elise Read was turned away from an AFLW game on Sunday because she was wearing a ‘history is calling’ shirt in support of the Indigenous voice to parliament. Credit: Elise Read