Sexist disgrace as male footballers use three words to rate female players when they run out onto the ground and even try to trip them up

A Victorian football club has been forced to issue a public apology after male players used a shocking rating system on opposition female players and tried to trip them over as they ran out for a match.

The incident occured in the Eastern Football Netball League in a match between Knox and Donvale FC last weekend.

'As the women ran out at half time, male players from Knox lined up on either side of the race, and yelled at ratings for each player,' 3AW radio star Jacqui Felgate said.

'They held out their legs to trip the women over and used the phrases yes, no, mediocre, rating each female player. 

'The players were rightly upset but they played out the rest of the game.

'We're talking about adult men here who choose to threaten and intimidate female players who are out on a weekend playing a game that they love football. This is suburban footy. Women play footy. Now get over it.

'I hope the men that did this that subjected women to more foul aggressive behaviour are held to account. I don't know exactly how many were involved ... I've been told more than 20 other players watched it happen and didn't speak up.'

Compounding the issue, the alleged incident happened during the league's domestic violence awareness round with the Donvale players wearing pink socks to support Breast Cancer Network Australia. 

'A minute's silence was held at this very ground as a mark of respect. And at the same game women are rated yes, no, mediocre,' Felgate said.

'How utterly awful and how utterly exhausting that we're still at the point where women can't play sport without being objectified.'

Knox released a statement from president Paul Blair apologising for the actions of the male players.

'You may be aware of an incident that occurred at half time in the women's game where KFNC Players made anti-social behaviour or behaviour that is disrespectful towards the Donvale women's players,' the statement said.

'Behaviour of this kind is completely unacceptable at our club, and we are deeply concerned by the incident.

'We are committed to take firm action to ensure that our community are aware that we condemn this type of behaviour.

'We have extended our deepest apologies to the Donvale Football club, and will continue to work closely with them and the EFNL to keep them informed on the outcome and actions we will take as a result of our investigation.

'The safety of all players is paramount and we do not tolerate anti-social behaviour or behaviour that is disrespectful to women.

'As a club we take this matter seriously and will be taking a strong stance on this, as this is not what we stand for as a club and we do not condone these actions.'

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak denounced the behaviour on X, formerly known as Twitter.

'We have to be better than this,' he wrote.

'Surely has to be more than just an apology.'

Former Hockeyroos star turned Channel 7 AFL presenter Georgie Parker replied: 'This is such f***ing loser behaviour'.

3AW have reported that Donvale Football Club have declined to make comment while the investigation is ongoing. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Donvale Football Club and the Eastern Football Netball League for comment.