THE AFL has taken down the “YES” sign outside its headquarters in Docklands.

On Wednesday the “AFL” logo was replaced with “YES” amid debate surrounding the same sex marriage postal vote.

The league’s public support of marriage equality was not new, but its public display was a step up.

But less than 24 hours later the “YES” sign has been taken down, although the initial media release confirmed it would only be a temporary change.

Round 18

There were reports the logo had been vandalised over night.

“This is an issue that means a lot to many of our players, many of my employees and a lot of people in the community,” CEO Gillon McLachlan said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night.

“It’s incumbent on us to have a view. It’s also, it’s incumbent on us not to lecture people ... but say ‘this is who we are as a brand’.”

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The statement comes after numerous sporting organisations — including the ARU, the NRL, Cricket Australia and Football Federation Australia — declared their support for a ‘yes’ vote in the ABS postal survey.

Swimming Australia on Wednesday said it was committed to inclusion, fairness and acceptance but said its members were entitled to have their own positions on the issue.

Wallabies star and devout Christian Israel Folau last week sparked a Twitter backlash after revealing he would not support same-sex marriage. “I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. But personally, I will not support gay marriage,” he tweeted.

Carlton Football Club released a statement that appeared to support “equality” but stopped shot of supporting “marriage equality” on Wednesday, while St Kilda Football Club has been a leader in this space with several players marching in the Pride March in each of the last three years.

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