McLachlan defends Bombers’ call on ‘first-class person’ Andrew Thorburn as politicians fume

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has defended Andrew Thorburn’s decision to resign after just 24 hours as Essendon CEO, as federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton leads calls for the Bombers to re-appoint him.

Thorburn stood down on Tuesday after it was revealed he is the chairman of a controversial church that holds strong homophobic and anti-abortion views, sparking major debate across the footy world.

Speaking to media on Thursday, McLachlan described Thorburn as ‘a friend’, but defended the decision for club and CEO to part ways.

“I’ve spoken to Andrew – he’s a first class person, I regard him as a friend, and he’s got great values,” McLachlan said

“I’m really clear that everyone is entitled to their beliefs and their religious beliefs. But at times those beliefs can intersect the values and culture of entities, and when you’ve been asked to lead one that seems to be at odds with the beliefs of another entity you’re chairing, I think Andrew had to make a decision.

“And to be honest with you, that he went with his faith doesn’t surprise me because he’s a person of great conviction.

“In the end, I wasn’t surprised by the decision he made.”

Thorburn’s statement upon resigning, lamenting that his ‘personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square’, has led to debate over religion in the game.

Dutton, alongside Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, have both called for Thorburn to be reappointed, saying the decision is an affront to free speech.

“The views that have been expressed by a pastor at this church in relation to gay people, or to the issue of abortion – they’re an abomination and I condemn those points that have been made by that particular pastor,” he said.

“But the comments and the actions of Andrew Thorburn are completely distanced from that and the fact that an individual can be sacked from a position because of his religious belief doesn’t have any place in our country.

“I’m very deeply concerned, about the development in relation to this Essendon situation and the dismissal, frankly, should be reversed and Mr Thorburn should be reappointed to his position.”

Gillon McLachlan (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Guy argued on 3AW that Thorburn’s dismissal set a bad precedent, but McLachlan’s position is that religious matters are not all the same.

GWS AFLW player Haneen Zreika has confirmed she will again abstain from playing during the league’s upcoming Pride Round, due to a conflict with her religious beliefs.

“The organisation that he led and their position on some issues was seemingly at odds on with the position of the Essendon Football Club,” McLachlan said.

“I don’t think it’s the same in every situation, I think in this situation it seemed to be a conflict, I think in this situation it seemed to be a conflict and Andrew had to make a choice.”