AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has condemned comments by former West Australian football legend Mal Brown who described indigenous footballers as "cannibals".

Mr Demetriou says Brown's view did not reflect those of the football community or Australia.

At a football luncheon on Wednesday, Brown, who played 14 AFL games for Richmond in 1974, said he couldn't pick Aboriginal players like Nicky Winmar or Michael Mitchell in his WA origin teams because of poor lighting at the ground.

"And because there were no lights, I couldn't pick any of the cannibals," Brown said.

"He doesn't speak for the AFL or the reflection of the Australian football community - he is in the minority, in a very small minority," Mr Demetriou told ABC Radio.

He said the league had spent years educating players, administrators and club officials on racial issues.

"I think the football population in general, our fans, would share my disgust because they know very clearly what our views are in this area, not just the views of the football community but the views of Australia."

He said Brown's comments were from a bygone era and had no place in today's society.

"I hope he apologises and hope people accept the apology and we all move on, because there is no place for it."

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