Izak Rankine could still play in finals this season, after the AFL opted to hand the Crows player a four-match suspension for making a homophobic comment to another player during the Crows three-point victory against Collingwood on Saturday.
On Tuesday, the AFL had sought to hand the 25-year-old small forward a five-week suspension for breaching its rules on unbecoming conduct, after it was revealed that Rankine had called an unnamed Collingwood player a ‘f****t’ during the match.
However, the league subsequently opted to reduce his suspension after the crows had made ‘compelling medical submissions’ in Rankine’s defence.
According to The Herald Sun, the Crows told the AFL that the 25-year-old had been ‘badly affected’ by the saga, adding that they had concerns over the possible effects a season-ending ban could have on Rankine’s mental wellbeing.
The AFL subsequently handed him a lesser penalty than that of Sydney Swans youngster Riak Andrew, who was slapped with a five-match suspension after he was found to have used a homophobic slur during a VFL game against North Melbourne in July.
There is still a possibility that the Crows player could feature again for Adelaide in their finals campaign this year. His ban will be effective from this weekend, with the Crows set to take on the Kangaroos in their final regular-season match. Should the league leaders lose their opening qualifying final, but go on to win their subsequent semi-final and the resulting preliminary final, Rankine would be available for selection.
As part of the sanction, Rankine will be required to undertake further Pride In Sport training.
Adelaide CEO Tim Silvers has since confirmed that the Crows will not be appealing Rankine’s suspension. When asked about the ‘compelling medical submissions’, Silvers told News Corp that it was ‘not appropriate’ to discuss the matter.
‘There were medical submissions that were part of an extensive submission that we put to the AFL,’ Silvers said.
It comes as the Crows had issued a multifaceted defence of the small-forward, in a bid to get Rankine’s sanction reduced. They submitted arguments, including claims that the AFL was committing a double standard by booking Snoop Dogg to perform at the AFL Grand Final.
The club also claimed that finals matches carry greater weight than regular season matches, while also arguing that Rankine had been triggered by Collingwood’s Dan Houston.
However, the league did not take into account these submissions. In a statement released on Thursday, the league wrote: ‘The AFL Integrity Unit found that Rankine used a highly offensive homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent — language that demeans and denigrates people regardless of their sexuality.
‘Following an investigation and submissions from Adelaide and Rankine, including compelling medical submissions, Rankine has received a four-match sanction and has been ordered to undertake further Pride In Sport training.
‘It should be noted that on Sunday, Rankine rang the Collingwood player to personally apologise and he fully cooperated with the subsequent investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit, including by admitting the use of the homophobic slur and being remorseful for it.’
Rankine is the sixth player in the AFL to receive a suspension in the past 16 months for a homophobic slur against an opponent.
Earlier this season, West Coast’s Jack Graham was also slapped with a four-match penalty for a homophobic remark to a GWS Giants player.
The Eagles player had self-reported his comments, and subsequently had a potential five-game ban reduced.
In April 2024, Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlason was suspended for three matches and a month later, Gold Coast’s Will Powell was also banned for five games. Both had directed homophobic comments towards opponents.
It comes at a time when the AFL has come under fire from other footy commentators and fans for opting to hire Snoop Dogg for the AFL Grand Final. The US rapper has a 1998 hit called ‘Doggz Gonna Get Ya’ which uses the same slur, ‘f****t’, that Rankine used. That has caused outrage among some, especially considering the league’s current zero-tolerance stance on homophobia.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon published an LGBTQI+ Action Plan in April of this year. In the Action Plan, he wrote: ‘I want to be clear: there is absolutely no place for homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia – or any form of discrimination for that matter – in our game, workplace, or society.’
Meanwhile, others within the football community have been left fuming at the AFL’s decision to reduce Rankine’s ban, with one footy fan branding the AFL ‘absolutely shameful’.
‘’In news that shocks absolutely no one, Izak Rankine may still play this season,’ X user @Hayleyyemma wrote.
‘The AFL has just told every single queer person that our right to be treated with basic human decency matters less than Rankine’s right to play finals football.
‘Absolutely shameful @AFL.’
The AFL had noted that Rankine had been remorseful, fully co-operated with their investigation and had called the player he directed the homophobic comment at to apologise, the morning after the match.
AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade explained how the AFL came to their judgment on the ban.
‘The language used was offensive, hurtful and highly inappropriate. Our players have a very clear understanding of what is acceptable on the football field. Importantly, in this instance, it was called out by players and acknowledged by Izak himself as wrong — and that reflects the standards we expect and demand in our game,’ AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said.
‘Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable. Adelaide has 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. Everyone in football understands the rules, and there are consequences of breaching them.
‘We recognise this is a challenging time for the players and clubs involved, and appropriate support has been offered. But our responsibility is also to every player, official and fan who deserves respect when they come to our game. In 2025, the players know this more than anyone.’
Rankine has also broken his silence on the matter, admitting that he was committed to educating himself to be better.
‘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,’ Rankine said.
‘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.
‘I’m committed to educating myself and being better.’
Crows CEO Tim Silvers added that the club was extremely disappointed with Rankine’s behaviour.
‘Such language is unacceptable and at odds with the values of our organisation, and we are committed to being a Club that fosters a respectful and inclusive environment,” Silvers said.
‘We are obviously frustrated and disappointed; however, player welfare is always a priority and we will provide Izak with the appropriate support and education.’
