A MELBOURNE-based grassroots competition has expelled one of its clubs after an investigation into threatening behaviour towards umpires and racial vilification of opposition players.

The decision by the Southern Football League to expel the Doveton Eagles was confirmed on Thursday.

The SFL says it was forced to act after receiving many complaints about the behaviour of the club's players, coaches and supporters at last year's elimination final.

"The Doveton Eagles in 2010 were suspended from the competition due to its ex-coach coaching the club whilst his coaching accreditation had been revoked by AFL Victoria due to umpire intimidation and threatening behaviour," SFL chief executive Wayne Holdsworth said in a statement.

"The league gave the club a second chance to lift its game, and yet barely 12 months on we are faced with a situation in which umpires have been threatened and opposing players racially vilified.

"The SFL simply will not tolerate abuse, intimidation and threats towards our umpires, and any form of racial vilification at our games is totally unacceptable.

“The SFL fully supports the AFL’s Umpiring is Everyone's Business program which promotes respect for umpires at all levels of the game.

"Umpires have a tough job to do and they deserve to be treated with respect by all players, coaches, officials and spectators.

"They are an integral part of our game and we have a responsibility to protect them."

The Eagles have 28 days to lodge an appeal.