WEST Coast defender Patrick McGinnity will be suspended from this week's match against Essendon after a club investigation revealed he had acted inappropriately during Sunday's game against Melbourne.

The club's website reports that the investigation deemed he had breached the AFL's respect and responsibility policy.

"McGinnity has been suspended by the club for one match, will undergo counselling in relation to the AFL's respect and responsibility policies and will be fined $2500," westcoasteagles.com.au reports.

He will also issue an apology to Ricky Petterd, the Melbourne player involved in the incident.

"I deeply regret the words I used in a verbal altercation on Sunday," McGinnity told the club's website.

"The heat of the moment is no excuse for over-stepping the mark and I sincerely apologise to the Melbourne player who my comments were directed at."

West Coast acted immediately after becoming aware of the incident.

Chief executive officer Trevor Nisbett said he was pleased that McGinnity had apologised immediately.

"The comments made by Patrick do not reflect the values of our football club and we acted quickly when we became aware of the issue," Nisbett said.

"We have high standards as a club, which we have continued to enforce in recent years and we are disappointed Patrick stepped outside those guidelines. We will continue to educate our players on their responsibilities around this and other AFL policies."

The AFL will release a statement early on Tuesday afternoon.

The respect and responsibility code was introduced in 2005 with the aim of "creating a safe and inclusive environment for women at all levels of Australian football".

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said an umpire overheard a remark made by the 22-year-old Eagle that he believed contravened the League's respect and responsibility code and attacked Petterd's mother.