- Izak Rankine suspension has been the talk of the sport
Adelaide’s Izak Rankine has been banned for four games by the AFL for a homophobic slur in a shock move given experts expected him to be rubbed out for five weeks, which would have ended his season.
Rankine is the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for a homophobic slur against an opponent in the past 16 months.
The star Crow will only play again this season if ladder-leading Adelaide lose a qualifying final en route to the grand final.
Adelaide play North Melbourne on Saturday in the last home-and-away round and will then host two finals.
Rankine admitted directing a homophobic slur to an unnamed Collingwood opponent in Adelaide’s three-point win last Saturday night
‘Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable,’ the AFL’s general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement announcing the four-game ban.
Crow star Izak Rankine (pictured with Calista Mittiga) has received a surprisingly short ban by the AFL for his homophobic slur against a Collingwood player
The Adelaide lynchpin can now play in the grand final – but only if his side lose a qualifying final on their way to the year’s biggest match
‘Adelaide have said they know it is not acceptable.
‘In an AFL environment, this behaviour is not acceptable. Homophobia has no place in football.
‘The suspension is significant but stamping out vilification in our game is incredibly important.’
Rankine, 25, apologised to the Magpie player on Sunday as the AFL’s integrity unit launched an investigation.
Rankine is the sixth AFL-listed player banned for an on-field homophobic slur since April last year.
Last month, West Coast’s Jack Graham was banned four games for a homophobic remark to a GWS player.
In April last year, Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson was suspended for three games and, the following month, Gold Coast’s Wil Powell was suspended five matches, both for directing homophobic slurs at opponents.
The lengths of those bans contributed to the widespread speculation that Rankine would be handed a five-match suspension.
Rankine (pictured) is the sixth AFL star to be banned for an on-field homophobic slur since April last year
However, Adelaide reportedly made strong representations to the AFL to get his ban reduced, including bringing up homophobic lyrics and remarks made by rapper Snoop Dogg, who has been hired by the league to perform at this year’s grand final.
The AFL’s decision is certain to cause division among fans.
Many supporters have been vocal online while calling for shorter bans for stars who use anti-gay slurs, pointing to league decisions like the one-match suspension given to Port star Willie Rioli for sending a threatening message to Bulldogs player Bailey Dale in May.
Others have urged the AFL to throw the book at Rankine, arguing that previous penalties haven’t been strong enough to drive homophobia out of the game.
Two VFL players have also been banned for the same offence.
Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing in a reserves game against North Melbourne.
And in July last year, St Kilda’s Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown.
