Izak Rankine has spoken publicly for the first time since he was handed a four-match ban for making a homophobic slur to an unnamed Collingwood player during the Adelaide’s three-point win against the Magpies on August 16.
The remorseful footy player apologised for using the phrase and stated that the word has ‘no place in our game or society’. He explained that he was in ‘no way a victim.’
Rankine added he would be making an apology to his team-mates and the Crows AFLW team when he returns to the club in the coming days.
‘I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for what I said,’ Rankine said.
‘There was no excuse, it was wrong and I take full responsibility. I’m disappointed in myself and I know I’ve let a lot of people down.
‘I want to apologise to anybody that I’ve hurt or offended. I understand that word is offensive, it’s harmful, it’s hurtful and it has no place in our game or our society.’
Izak Rankine has spoken publicly for the first time since the footy player was banned for using a homophobic slur against an unnamed Collingwood player
Rankine apologised before stating that he was ‘disappointed’ in himself and took ‘full responsibility’
The 25-year-old also stated that he was ‘in no way a victim’ but travelling abroad had given him time to ‘educate myself and understand the weight of my mistake’
The AFL had been looking to slap the 25-year-old with a five-match ban for the offensive comment, but Adelaide had made ‘several compelling medical submissions’ to the league, which ultimately saw AFL chiefs mitigate his sanction to a four-game ban.
The midfielder, who has served one match of his four-match suspension, had subsequently flown out of the country and had been participating in a warm-weather training camp in Italy.
The camp is understood to have been coordinated by the Crows’ fitness boss Darren Burgess.
On Tuesday he returned to Adelaide and addressed members of the media at Adelaide Airport, where he added that the trip has helped him reflect on the matter and that he would now work to win back the trust of the footy club and team-mates.
‘I am in no way a victim but going away has given me space to reflect and educate myself to understand the weight of my mistake.
‘In the next few days I will be standing in front of my teammates and the AFLW and apologising to them personally, as they deserve this at the very least.
‘From here all I can do is put my head down, work hard, support my teammates in the best way I can and show through my actions that I am growing and learning from my mistake.
‘More than anything I want this club to succeed so I will be doing everything I can to earn everyone’s trust back and have a positive impact on society and my supporters. Thank you.’
The football player said he will now address his team-mates and the Crows AFLW side when he returns to training
The AFL opted not to hand Rankine a five-match suspension for the homophobic slur, after the Crows made ‘several compelling medical submissions’ to the league
Rankine had previously issued a statement on the matter, in which he spoke of his ‘regret’ at using the word.
The Crows had also condemned the language used by their midfielder.
CEO Tim Silvers stated that the language was ‘at odds with the values of our organisation.’ He added that while the club were ‘frustrated and disappointed’, player welfare is always a priority and we will provide Izak with the appropriate support and education.’
Silvers had later noted that he had concerns over Rankine’s well-being, revealing in the days after the victory against Collingwood, Rankine ‘barely left his house.’
However, Silvers was reluctant to delve into details on the ‘medical submissions’ that were made by the Crows to the AFL.
‘I am nervous for him,’ Silvers told reporters. ‘He has gone through a difficult time over the past couple of days.
‘We have had the appropriate support around him and I think the release of the decision is good and him being able to get out of the house and be able to get away for a couple of days and reset and come back to the footy club.’
‘We are working through that for Izak at the moment. I think he might need some time out,’ he said, adding that he could leave the city for a short period of time.
Rankine was ultimately handed a four-match ban meaning that his hopes of playing in finals depend on whether the Crows suffer defeat in their Qualifying final before going on to reach the AFL Grand Final
‘He will need to continue to train and we are looking at some options to just get him away and out of the Adelaide environment for a week or so to make sure he trains and when he is ready to come back in we can’t wait to have him back.’
Rankine served the first game of his four-match ban last weekend after the Crows defeated North Melbourne.
There is still a chance that he could play in finals this year, if the footy club lose their first qualifying final but still make the AFL Grand Final.
Much scrutiny has been placed on the AFL for its handling of the process, especially considering the league’s zero-tolerance stance on homophobia.
While the Crows are said to have argued to the AFL that finals games should bear more weight than regular season matches, Andrew Dillon backed the league’s decision to hand Rankine a four-game ban.
‘A game is a game,’ the AFL CEO said.
‘It’s serious. There are significant prices to pay. We’ve taken our time, we’ve got to the outcome.’
Rankine is the sixth AFL player in 16 months to be handed a ban for making a homophobic slur.
Rankine is the sixth AFL player in 16 months to be handed a ban for making a homophobic slur
He follows West Coast’s Jack Graham and Sydney youngster Riak Andrew, who were also suspended this year for homophobic slurs and Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson, who copped a three-match ban for a similar breach of the AFL’s conduct rules in 2024.
Meanwhile, the league has also been scrutinised for its decision to hire Snoop Dogg as its entertainment for this year’s AFL Grand Final.
Some critics have referenced how Snoop Dogg has previously made controversial comments about some members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The US rapper has a 1998 hit called ‘Doggz Gonna Get Ya’ which uses the same slur Rankine is believed to have said to a Collingwood player – ‘f****t’.
Rankine’s ban also came as former footy player Mitch Brown historically became the first ever footy player to come out as bisexual.
Brown has since called on the league to do more to make footy a more inclusive place for all people.
‘This is also a call to action,’ Brown said in a message published on his Instagram, in which he also thanked his followers for their support. ‘It’s time for the AFL and the clubs to commit to genuine change, embedding inclusion not just in words, but in culture, policies and everyday actions.
‘If we can make our game a better place where everyone belongs, the ripple effect on Australian society will be profound.
‘I look forward to joining the movement that started long before me to create a safer, more inclusive sport and society for everyone.’
