What counts as vilification under the AFL community policy (the Peek Rule)?
Rule- Australia
- AFL
- Community football
- Vilification policy
- Peek Rule
- Policy Handbook 2026
- All ages
- 2026
- Club committees
Section 10.1 of the National Community Football Policy Handbook says no person shall act towards or speak to any other person in a manner, or engage in any other conduct, which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person or group of persons on any basis, including but not limited to a person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Handbook calls this the Peek Rule. The AFL may appoint an AFL Vilification and Discrimination Panel to give expert assistance to the AFL and other controlling bodies with conciliation and with any Tribunal process about a potential breach.
Source: AFL National Community Football Policy Handbook (February 2026), Section 10. https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2026-02/National%20Community%20Football%20Policy%20Handbook%20-%202026%20%5BFINAL%20-%20130226%5D_1.pdf
Updated 24 Oct 2026