- Midfielder, 25, has been banned for four games by the AFL
Gay fans of the Adelaide Crows are ‘deeply concerned and disappointed’ following Izak Rankine’s homophobic slur aimed at a Collingwood player – and believe the on-field insult ‘sent a clear message that queer people are seen as “lesser”.’
It comes after Rankine was issued a four-game ban by the AFL on Thursday, with greats of the game lashing out at the AFL’s handling of the saga as the suspension leaves the star with a slim chance of playing again this year.
Megan Harris, President of the Rainbow Crows – the AFL club’s official LGBTIQ+ Supporter Group – provided a lengthy statement to Daily Mail Australia where she stressed the gay slur was unacceptable and that Rankine used the term in a demeaning manner.
‘We are deeply concerned and disappointed that not only has another homophobic slur been used by another AFL player, but that it has happened in our club,’ the statement began.
‘When a player directs a homophobic slur, it is less likely to offend the player it is aimed at, but (more) the LGBTQIA+ community.
‘We understand that while the slur was not necessarily made as a genuine example of homophobia from Izak, research indicates a wider, ingrained problem of the term being used to demean or intimidate others.
A group representing gay fans of the Adelaide Crows has released a damning statement in the wake of the homophobic slur used by Izak Rankine (pictured)
Megan Harris, President of the Rainbow Crows (pictured) – the AFL club’s official LGBTIQ+ Supporter Group – wants the Adelaide club to lift its game around the issue
A contrite Rankine (pictured right with Collingwood’s Nick Daicos) said he regretted using the word ‘f***ot’ and admitted it had ‘no place’ in the game
‘This sends a clear message that queer people are seen as “lesser”.
‘The AFL has been very clear on their position on using homophobic language, yet it is still happening. This demonstrates there is still work to be done in this area.’
The statement went on to stress the importance of educating people that gay slurs are ‘completely unacceptable’ and that when used by players they are often mimicked in society.
As a group, the Rainbow Crows also hope Rankine and the Adelaide Football Club ‘will learn from the incident’ and make ‘much-needed improvements.’
A contrite Rankine said he regretted using the word ‘fa***t’ and admitted it had ‘no place’ in the game.
‘It was a mistake and I have apologised to the Collingwood player, and what happened does not reflect my values or those of the club,’ he said.
‘I regret using the word and I am very sorry for doing so, and that type of language has no place in football or the community.
‘I’m committed to educating myself and being better.’
Rankine is also the sixth AFL-listed player banned for using homophobic language in the past 16 months.
The outcome means Rankine will only play in this year’s AFL Grand Final if the Crows make it through after losing their first final.
