The AFL has removed Barry Cable from the Hall of Fame and revoked his 'Legend' status after it was found that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a Perth girl at the height of his playing career.
AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder said the decision to strip Cable of the prestigious honours was made on Tuesday.
It followed a ruling made by Judge Mark Herron in the District Court of Western Australia earlier this month that Cable had repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl during his playing career, and that there was compelling evidence he also abused other children.
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Goyder said the decision to dump Cable from the Hall of Fame and strip his 'Legend' status was made after giving Cable the chance to write a submission contesting it.
Cable provided a written response, which was considered, Goyder added.
"The finding of Judge Herron was incredibly serious and distressing and the thoughts of the AFL Commission are entirely with the victim, who bravely told her story and the other women who courageously came forward during the course of the trial to tell their stories," Goyder said in a statement.
"We acknowledge the courage it has taken to reach an outcome through the courts in WA.
"Once the court ruling was handed down it was incumbent on the Commission and the game to immediately examine the facts of this matter and the horrific nature of these events required that Barry Cable can no longer be considered for any honours that the Hall of Fame or football can bestow.
"At our last Commission meeting we moved to alter the charter for the Australian Football Hall of Fame, to include a new section that allows for the AFL Commission to remove any person for conduct which brings the AFL, the Hall of Fame inductee, any AFL club or Australian football into disrepute.
"Induction into the Hall of Fame and designation of Legend status will immediately be removed."
Cable, 79, was sued in the District Court of Western Australia by a woman who alleged Cable abused her over a five-year period beginning in 1968 when she was aged 12 or 13.
After overseeing a civil trial earlier this year, Judge Mark Herron found the abuse had taken place and awarded the woman $818,700 in damages. Cable was declared bankrupt prior to the trial, putting the damages awarded under a cloud.
Cable has repeatedly denied abusing the woman and has not been charged with any criminal offences.
The former North Melbourne star was one of the game's most decorated players and was elevated to Hall of Fame 'Legend' status in 2012.
He won a total of six premierships between 1966 and 1977, dominating Western Australia's competition for the Perth Football Club before moving to Victoria to play in the VFL, where he won two flags with North Melbourne.
He was named in North Melbourne's Team of the Century and is also a member of the AFL's Indigenous Team of the Century.
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