THE LEAGUE has confirmed it will investigate Brisbane Lions forward Brendan Fevola's involvement in the release and circulation of a naked photo of model Lara Bingle.

Speaking from the announcement of a federal government grant of $400,000 to the AFL through its Respectful Relationships initiative, football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the matter was being treated very seriously.

"Let me just be clear that from an AFL point of view, taking photos of women without their consent and circulating them in that situation is unacceptable," he said.

"We are speaking to the club and we're speaking to the player and we'll make those enquiries before we decide any particular action in this case.

"Whether that's happened in this particular case, we're not aware at the moment.

"Some enquires have been made and we'll talk to the club and Brendan Fevola and then assess it from there."

Anderson would not be drawn on whether Fevola could or would be penalised by the League, and said it was important to first establish the facts.

"There have been some court proceedings that have been foreshadowed, but we'll monitor them as well," he said.

"But at the end of the day, the basic principle of respect towards women requires that there aren't photos taken without their consent and are the circulated."

Federal minister for the status of women Tanya Plibersek was reluctant to make further comment, but said the release of the photo was "pretty poor behaviour".

Bingle is understood to be pursuing legal action against Fevola.

Fevola, a two-time Coleman Medallist, was traded to the Lions from Carlton following his drunken behaviour at last year's Brownlow Medal count.