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The Australian Football League says it is “reassessing” a sponsorship agreement with Royal Brunei Airlines because it was unaware that Brunei had introduced harsh penalties against homosexuality four months earlier.
AFL Europe, the governance body for the sport across continental Europe, touted a 12-month deal with the airline as its “biggest ever sponsorship” when it was announced in July.
But in May Brunei had begun introducing harsh penalties for a range of behaviour including not performing Friday prayers, failing to observe Ramadan and homosexual acts, according to the Brunei Times.
The laws have drawn heavy international criticism and have sparked calls for boycotts.
The reassessment of the sponsorship deal is an embarrassment for the AFL after it pledged in April – along with other Australian codes – to eliminate homophobia.
The AFL released a statement on Wednesday that said: “AFL Europe entered into the sponsorship agreement with Royal Brunei Airlines in good faith, unaware of concerns outside the sporting arena about the Brunei government’s adoption in April this year of harsh and discriminatory cultural laws. These laws are counter to everything the AFL stands for in regards to inclusion and diversity.”
“In conjunction with AFL Europe, we are currently reassessing the appropriateness of the sponsorship arrangement and also the broader issue of the AFL’s oversight of potential sponsorship deals that are put to affiliate organisations overseas.”
“Given the AFL has only recently been made aware of the situation, the sponsorship deal will be reconsidered in consultation with various key stakeholders.”
The new laws will also introduce penalties for homosexual acts, although this has not yet been brought forward. The are seeking to introduce serious penalties that range from fines, imprisonment, corporal punishment and in some circumstances amputation or the death penalty.
Rob Mitchell, who has played a major role in anti-homophobia campaigns in the AFL, said it “beggars belief” that the AFL could have been unaware of Brunei’s laws until four months later.
“Even now, the AFL is still refusing to commit to sever the sponsorship with Royal Brunei immediately, proving yet again that money, above all else, is the primary driver,” he said.
He added that the arrangement showed the organisation still needed to commit to major cultural change.
“It’s obviously appalling because the message that it sends is that it doesn’t matter what the players say around sexual identity or race but the AFL are happy to take their money,” he said.
AFL Europe boss Ben MacCormack said on its website in July: “We are very excited to be working with Royal Brunei in helping us provide flights for our players. Their daily Dreamliner 787 service from London Heathrow to Melbourne offers both a convenient route for the players and supporters, as well as great value flights and exceptional service.”
In April the AFL was one of several peak Australian sporting bodies and high-profile players from rugby league, rugby union, cricket, AFL and soccer to unite in a major campaign committed to eliminating homophobia in sport.
The sports codes all agreed to created clear anti-homophobia frameworks that would outline training and education strategies, sanctions and reporting and implementation of the policy at both national and local levels by 27 August.
Royal Brunei Airlines has also been contacted for comment.
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