Adelaide star Izak Rankine is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur directed at a Collingwood player last Saturday night.
According to the Herald Sun on Sunday night, the alleged comment was made on-field during the captivating encounter, which saw the Crows emerge three-point victors.
If found guilty, Rankine’s hopes of playing in September would appear in grave doubt, given recent punishments for instances of homophobic slurs.
An Adelaide win against North Melbourne in Round 24 would cement a minor premiership, with two home finals already locked in next month. A five-match ban would end his season.
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In such circumstances, the league’s Integrity Unit interviews the parties involved and considers specific circumstances before coming to a verdict.
“The AFL is aware of an alleged matter with the Integrity Unit making inquiries,” confirmed AFL general manager of corporate affairs Jay Allen, per the Herald Sun.
In a club statement, the Crows said: “We are aware of an alleged matter involving one of our players in Saturday night’s game and we are in discussions with the AFL.”
The league has repeatedly demonstrated its punitive stance against homophobic behaviour. Gold Coast defender Wil Powell was last year suspended five matches for delivering a homophobic slur, while St Kilda forward Lance Collard was hit with a six-game ban for comments made during a VFL match. Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson copped a three-match suspension last April.
This year, West Coast recruit Jack Graham was banned four matches by the league for using a “highly offensive” homophobic slur towards a GWS opponent in Round 17 — becoming the fourth player in the space of 16 months to have been found guilty of such acts. Most recently, in July, Sydney’s Riak Andrew was banned five matches for using a homophobic slur during a VFL match.
The AFL was thought to have been more lenient in Graham’s circumstance given he had self-reported the incident in the days following the match. The veteran midfielder was ordered to undertake Pride in Sport education as a result of his actions.
AFL Head of Integrity and Security Tony Keane said in a statement after the Graham suspension: “The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in the community. We have come a long way as a code, but this incident demonstrates there is so much more to be done, and we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.
“The AFL will continue to consider the specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses. Graham’s sanction would have been higher if he hadn’t self-reported and understood his comment was totally inappropriate.”
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