Banned AFL player ‘deeply sorry’ for using homophobic slur

Banned Australian Football League (AFL) player Izak Rankine has said he’s “deeply sorry” for using a homophobic slur. 

Rankine received a four-match ban, rather than a possible five-game suspension, after he used an anti-gay slur during a Crows’ game against Collingwood Football Club. 

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon told reporters that the Adelaide Football Club made a “compelling medical submission” on behalf of Rankine, which brought his initial five-game suspension down. Dillon did not detail the medical considerations. 

On Tuesday (2 September), Rankine arrived in Adelaide after being sent to Italy by his club in a bid to avoid the spotlight in the aftermath of his four-game suspension.

‘I want to apologise to anyone who I have hurt and offended’

At Adelaide Airport, Rankine told reporters: “I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for what I said. There was no excuse, it was wrong and I take full responsibility. 

“I’m disappointed in myself and I know I have let a lot of people down.

“I want to apologise to anyone who I have hurt and offended. I understand that word was offensive, harmful, it’s hurtful and has no place in our game or our society.”

He added that the ban had given him “space to reflect and educate” himself to “understand the weight of my mistake”.

“And I am fully committed to bettering myself. In the next few days I will be standing in front of my teammates and the AFLW and apologising to them personally – and they deserve this at the very least.” 

He said he will be doing “everything” possible to “gain everyone’s trust back and have a positive impact on society” and his supporters. 

Rankine has already served one match of his four-game ban. 

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