A South Australian local footy club has come under fire for not taking more action on a nude photo scandal and controversial fines list that’s sparked concerns of a ‘misogynistic’ culture at the club.
Adelaide’s Gaza Football Club gave its senior group a verbal warning over a nude photo scandal and controversial fines list, which reportedly included fines for players ‘if you don’t get the wand out in the shower’.
Emails, obtained by the Adelaide Advertiser, detail an alleged incident involving senior players circulating photos of topless barmaids on a group chat – with players and coaches accused of making sexist comments.
The group chat included players who were under the age of 18.
A former committee member of Gaza FC, who left the footy club following the incidents, has slammed the club for sweeping the issue under the rug.
‘I was disgusted,’ they told the publication.
Adelaide’s Gaza Football Club has given players a warning over a bizarre fines list and an alleged nude photo scandal
A former committee member of Gaza FC has slammed the club for sweeping the issue under the rug
‘There were meetings held following the incidents and a possible notification to the League and then to child services was tabled because there were under 18s involved but I got the sense that there wasn’t going to be any notification made and that it would all get swept under the rug.
‘No one really mentioned any of it again for a while and when they eventually addressed the playing group it was just a light talk – to my knowledge there was no warning, no punishment for players or coaches, no repercussions, no disciplinary action.
‘All of this was the final straw for a couple of us.’
The ex-committee member said more action needed to be taken against those responsible.
‘There was a lack of action and it just didn’t sit right with me, there should have been disciplinary action taken against the people involved.
‘To me, it seemed like a missed opportunity to show that the club doesn’t stand for crap like this anymore.’
The fines list, reportedly set up by senior players, included fines for ‘posting a pic on social media with the missus’, ‘public displays of affection’ and not getting your ‘wand out in the shower’.
The former committee member said something need to be done about the culture of sexism and misogyny at the club.
The club says it will not tolerate the alleged behaviour and has taken action over the incidents
‘It is so misogynistic, we’re trying to grow the women’s sport and make it family friendly and inclusive and then we have stuff like this happening.
‘We had four women on the executive last year and we got the club back on its feet so to see behaviour like this is really disappointing.’
In a statement made to the Adelaide Advertiser earlier in the week, the club said it is tackling the alleged behaviour
‘The Board of Directors at Gaza Sport & Community Club was made aware of an online incident involving members of its senior playing group and coaching team in late January 2025,’ the statement began.
‘As a football club that has been involved in community football since 1903, the safety and wellbeing of our club and community members is and has always been our highest priority.
‘At the time of the reported incident, the entire senior playing group was subsequently addressed and issued with a verbal warning, attendance was recorded, and expectations regarding conduct and club protocols were clearly communicated and understood.
‘The club also actioned child safeguarding processes, including mandated notifying, and communicated directly with families of the younger playing group.
‘The club does not condone the conduct in question and acknowledges that the reported incident does not align with its values or expectations of its members.
‘To reinforce our commitment to a safe and respectful club environment, the Committee passed a motion to formally adopt the SANFL Member Protection Policy as a club-wide standard. These and other policies have now been made publicly available on our website.
‘Additionally, we are committed to complying with Child Safeguarding requirements in line with our legal responsibilities and duty of care and the committee has also engaged an external education provider to deliver further training.
‘The Board of Directors will not give further weight to the harmful and misleading claims directed at our senior players or football coaches.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the club for comment.
