FOOTBALL maker Sherrin could be sacked as ball supplier to the AFL after being hit with a breach of agreement by the league over its alleged use of illegal child labour.

But the AFL may continue to use Auskick balls hand-stitched by poor Indian children to teach Australian children football.

The Sherrin factory in Scoresby. Credit:Justin McManus

After revelations by The Saturday Age that Indian children were working up to 10 hours a day, seven days a week stitching Sherrin footballs for 12¢ a ball, the AFL has refused to comment on whether it will recall or stop distributing balls made by the company in India.

The AFL has about 170,000 children aged 5 to 12 involved in its nationwide Auskick program. All Auskick participants, when they sign up, are given a synthetic Auskick football. Most are hand-stitched in India.