A spectator has been banned from attending SANFL matches for 12 months after directing a homophobic slur at Glenelg captain Liam McBean.
The incident occurred during the second quarter of last weekend’s qualifying final at Adelaide Oval, which marked McBean’s 150th SANFL game.
McBean, an AFL premiership winner with Richmond, immediately pointed to the stands after hearing the abuse, and a boundary umpire also confirmed the remark before alerting security.
The offender was quickly removed from the venue. SANFL described the comment as a ‘highly offensive homophobic slur’ and commended McBean for calling it out.
The league announced the suspension on Friday following its investigation into the incident.
‘The SANFL has today issued a penalty to a patron in relation to an incident during the SANFL Qualifying Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday,’ the SANFL statement said.
Former Richmond premiership winner Liam McBean was the target of a homophobic slur in the SANFL
McBean said he was shocked to hear the slur come over the fence during the match while captaining Glenelg
‘The member of the crowd used a highly offensive homophobic slur against Glenelg captain Liam McBean during the Glenelg versus Adelaide match.
‘Following an investigation, the person is banned from attending any SANFL match day for 12 months.
‘We fully support and commend the actions of Liam, the boundary umpire and members of the public in calling out this incident during the game.
‘This type of inappropriate and demeaning language has no place on or off the field, or in our society in general.
‘We remain committed to ensuring SANFL matches are a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy a day at the footy.’
Adelaide Oval management said breaches of the ground’s code of conduct may also be referred to police for further action.
McBean spoke about the incident at the SANFL’s Magarey Medal count.
‘Look it’s not something you expect to hear coming over the fence,’ he told 7NEWS Adelaide.
McBean hopes the ban is a line in the sand moment for the sport and for fans to foster a more inclusive environment
‘Clearly sport is something that brings people together and it’s an inclusive environment.
‘I must admit when I first heard it was a bit of shock and hopefully with the quick actions that took place afterwards there’ll be an education.
‘And hopefully there’ll be some education.’
It comes after the four-match band handed down to Adelaide Crows forward Izak Rankine last week.
Rankine was heard directing a homophobic slur towards Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor.
The incident was immediately reported, sparking an investigation by the AFL’s Integrity Unit and widespread outrage across the competition.
Within days Rankine admitted using the language, expressing remorse, but the case was formally sent to the tribunal.
After reviewing the evidence, the tribunal imposed a four-match suspension, reduced from an initial five games following submissions about Rankine’s mental health.
The incident comes after a teary Izak Rankine apologised for delivering a homophobic slur in an AFL match against Collingwood
Rankine was banned for the entire AFL final series, unless Adelaide makes the Grand Final
He was also ordered to complete education sessions through Pride in Sport and to engage in inclusion programs.
Adelaide accepted the sanction and sent Rankine overseas to Italy to remove him from the spotlight and allow him time to reflect.
The penalty meant he would miss the Crows’ finals campaign unless the club progressed to the Grand Final.
On September 2, Rankine returned to Australia and fronted the media in tears, admitting his words were unacceptable and pledging to apologise to teammates, the AFLW squad and the wider community.
He said he took full responsibility and wanted to learn from the hurt he had caused.
The controversy carried into the finals when Collingwood defender Isaac Quaynor was repeatedly booed by Adelaide fans, drawing strong condemnation.
AFL officials and commentators slammed the treatment of Quaynor, insisting he was the victim and should not be targeted.
‘We want members and footy fans to be barracking and passionate however, they should do so respectfully and any behaviour contrary to that is disappointing and not appropriate,’ the Adelaide Crows said in a statement.
Adelaide Ruckman O’Brien also labelled the crowd’s treatment of Quaynor as ‘disappointing’.
‘It was a pretty hostile environment last night, Adelaide Oval, and fans sometimes do what they do,’ O’Brien said.
‘Obviously, yeah, fans have crossed the line sometimes with that.
‘I haven’t analysed it too much myself, to be honest, and haven’t read too much into it, but crowds can do that sort of thing.’
