Demetriou said Akermanis, who made the claims in Thursday's Herald Sun when he advised against any players against "coming out" as homosexual, was entitled to his opinion but didn't believe homophobia was an issue.
"Jason Akermanis is entitled to express his opinion but I don't believe it reflects the views of clubs, players and officials involved in the AFL and the broader football community," Demetriou said.
"Australian football is a game open to any person, regardless of their sexuality, gender, race or religion.
"We live in a diverse society and I believe the football community reflects that.
"To this end, the AFL commission last year changed the racial and religious vilification rule to outlaw any vilification of people on the basis of their sexuality or sexual identity, a change that has guided football at all levels.
"We will continue to promote greater tolerance in our community and reinforce our commitment to making Australian football a game for all."
Demetriou's thoughts follow a backlash from Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans coaches Rodney Eade and Paul Roos, who both questioned the validity of Akermanis' comments.
Eade said there was no doubt a player would be accepted among the league if he came out, and denied he worked in a homophobic environment.
"I think we've come a long way and I think the AFL leads the way in that aspect," Eade said on Thursday.
"Certainly at the Bulldogs, we think we've got a terrific culture and environment. We select players on what they can do on and off the field as individuals; for their football talent, and certainly the character they bring to the club."
Roos went as far to suggest the column belonged in the 1940s and said modern players would not be made to feel uncomfortable by an "out" teammate.
"If any one of our players happened to be gay or came out, he wouldn't be alienated by this group of players, I know that," Roos said.
"In today's day and age, it’s reasonably irresponsible, what Jason's said this morning and hopefully it doesn’t reflect the views of the majority of people in the AFL.
"It's a staggering story when you read it. If it had have been written in 1943 or something like that, you could have been forgiven. But in 2010, to hear something like that is just bizarre."
Sydney Swans dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes also said he didn't believe the AFL environment was homophobic.
