'Weak, hollow, disappointing': Fans condemn Carlton on marriage equality statement

The Blues released a statement on Twitter on Wednesday that failed to endorse the yes campaign on marriage equality, as Australians vote in a nation-wide postal survey on the issue.

The controversial stance has already been met by a flood of backlash with AFL fans taking to social media to dub it "weak", "hollow" and "disappointing" while others labelled it an attack on equality and human rights.

The AFL has backed the 'yes' campaign as have Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and Collingwood in the past fortnight, joining long-term campaigners Sydney and St Kilda - who pioneered the annual pride game - on the issue.

Lifelong Carlton supporter Rebecca Hanley said she had been a paid-up member of the club since 2004, but she vowed this year would be her last and she would be terminating her membership.

"I'm a lifelong Carlton supporter and have been a Carlton member for 13 consecutive years," Ms Hanley wrote in a letter sent to Fairfax Media.

"I will not be renewing my Carlton membership in 2018 or future years due to the club's public statement on same-sex marriage.

"To call Carlton a 'leader in engendering equality' was a hollow statement in light of the lack of action on this important social issue.

"Now is the time to stand up. Now is the time to speak out."

In a short statement, the Blues declared themselves to be a "leader in engendering equality", but fell short of recommending a yes vote.

"The issue of 'same-sex marriage' is essentially one of equality and so the club encourages all of its people to have their say in this important national vote," it stated.

"As a club, we respect that this is about personal choice, and as such don't intend to campaign on the issue, but we do strongly reinforce our club's absolute commitment to equality - and a community that is free from any form of discrimination."

Ms Hanley, from Rathscar in central Victoria, told Fairfax Media that she would remain a Carlton supporter - like her father before her and her daughter after - but could no longer in good conscience contribute financially to the club.

She said she was shocked and disappointed with her beloved team's statement, which "wouldn't have satisfied anyone really, yes or no voters".

Other Carlton fans said the club had lost their loyalty and they were "embarrassed and shocked" by their stance.

"This is terrible," one fan posted on Twitter. "I am never supporting Carlton again."

Another Carlton fan, Michael Wilkinson, accused the club of being backward in its attitude to same-sex marriage when compared to other AFL clubs.

"The most disappointed I have ever been as a Carlton supporter," he tweeted. "Such a poor statement while other clubs and the AFL are getting it so right."

Former Carlton defender Michael Jamison has also hit out at his former club over the statement.

Jamison, who left the club at the end of last season after 150 matches, suggested it wasn't good enough.

"You can fence sit when you are debating whether to have a twilight grand final not when it comes to equality," he wrote on Twitter.

Others, however, lauded the club's stance arguing that it was a political issue that had no place in sport with some AFL fans even praising the club for not taking a position on the issue.

"Can't stand Carlton but well said," John Barbagiannis posted on Twitter. "Exercise your right to vote either yes or no and keep politics out of football."