AFL star Izak Rankine ‘faces five-match ban’ over alleged anti-gay slur
Izak Rankine of the Crows could face a five-match ban after he used a homophobic slur. (James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Australian Football League (AFL) star Izak Rankine could be handed a five-match ban over an alleged homophobic slur.
The Adelaide Crows’ Rankine remains in discussions with AFL over an expected ban after he allegedly used a homophobic slur aimed at a Collingwood player. Rankine allegedly called his opponent a f****t.
The AFL is investigating the incident and says it will provide an update on Thursday (20 August) to accommodate the Crows’ call for more time to respond to the league’s “proposed determinations”, with Crows’ next match set for Saturday afternoon.
“The AFL advises that the Adelaide Crows have requested additional time to respond to the AFL’s proposed determinations regarding an alleged incident with player Izak Rankine,” the league said in a statement.
“The AFL has granted this request and will provide an update on the matter [on Thursday].”
It’s believed that Rankine could face a suspension of between three and five games, with the latter being the expected punishment that would end Rankine’s season. Adelaide is lobbying for a three-match ban.
The 25-year-old apologised to the unnamed Collingwood player on Sunday following Adelaide’s three-point win the day before.
The incident follows West Coast’s Jack Graham being handed four-match ban after using “highly offensive” homophobic slur.
Three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs in 2024, including Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson, who accepted a three-match ban, and Gold Coast’s Wil Powell, who was handed a five-match ban.
St Kilda’s Lance Collard received a six-match penalty that year, too, in the longest suspension in AFL history.
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