Match Review Officer Michael Christian has apologised for approaching an umpire during an amateur women's game in which his daughter was playing, to raise concerns about sling tackles.
Christian criticised umpire Adrian Fisher for failing to award free kicks against sling tackles during the half-time break at a match between Old Brighton and Old Scotch.
Christian said he had tried to call Fisher to apologise and had informed AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking of the incident.
"I spoke to the AFL today, to Steve Hocking, to confirm this had occurred," Christian said.
"Steve clearly outlined the AFL's position to me, that this should not have happened by any person, particularly not someone in a senior official role in the game."