Published: 07:39 BST, 13 August 2026 | Updated: 07:39 BST, 13 August 2026
Adelaide football clubs have threatened to forfeit matches against a team fielding transgender player Freya Golding after the AFL cleared her to continue competing in the women's league.
Three clubs lodged formal duty-of-care complaints following an off-ball incident involving the Westminster Old Scholars utility during round five.
The AFL's Gender Diversity Policy Committee reviewed the evidence but ruled it was not satisfied that Golding's participation created an unacceptable safety risk.
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan has now revealed clubs could refuse to play Westminster if neither the league nor the AFL changes its position.
'The problem with the lack of leadership being offered [by the AFL] here is it creates a windstorm of reactions from those who want to understand,' Kernahan said.
'At our level, we are seeking counsel on what our rights are as an organisation to make a ruling as per the wishes of Adelaide Footy League Members.
Freya Golding (pictured right) was cleared to continue playing after the AFL found she did not pose an unacceptable safety risk
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said clubs could take matters into their own hands by forfeiting matchesĀ
Golding (pictured second from left) rejected claims she dominated opponents and said she simply wanted to continue playing the sport she loved
'And then underneath that, we have come to learn of a protest from clubs that if neither the Adelaide Footy League or the AFL can make a tough call, they will by way of forfeiting.
'We'd hope we can work through this before clubs start forfeiting in protest which regardless of any individual or institutional ideologies, is not good for the game of footy much less the community in general.'
No matches will be affected this season because Westminster was eliminated from the finals by Mitcham last weekend.
Golding has rejected claims that she dominates opponents or holds an overwhelming physical advantage.
'I'm not the biggest and tallest player going around and by no means am I a dominant player. I've had some good moments but it's rare I get in the best players,' Golding told 9NEWS.
