Editorial
A stain on the game: The AFL must find a new way to tackle homophobia
The AFL has a problem. Adelaide’s Izak Rankine is awaiting his fate after being accused of using a homophobic slur towards a Collingwood player during Saturday night’s match at Adelaide Oval.
If Rankine’s alleged transgression were an aberration in the wider football community, everyone would accept his stated remorse (he reportedly called his opponent to apologise), he would – if the accusation is upheld – accept his penalty, and the game would kick on to the grand final in all its glory.
Crow Izak Rankine celebrating a goal earlier in the season.Credit: AFL Photos
However, the reported slur is not an aberration. And it is here the AFL has a problem. Despite its outstretched hands welcoming inclusivity across society, and despite shaping the competition and structure of the game to reflect the ideals it advertises, the problem persists. The use of personal slurs that aim to wound has no place on the field. Indeed, it has no place from one person to another off the field, either.
Yet in the past two seasons, we have seen this in relation to homophobic comments: 2024 – Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide) banned for three games; Wil Powell (Gold Coast) five games; Lance Collard (St Kilda) six games (VFL); Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne coach) fined $20,000, compelled to attend Pride in Sport training. This year there have been Jack Graham (West Coast) banned for four games and Riak Andrew (Sydney) five games (VFL).
If the investigation upholds the latest accusation, in deciding Rankine’s penalty the AFL must be unwavering and consistent, even if the duration of his suspension costs him a chance to play in this year’s grand final.
After the Graham incident, Tony Keane, the head of the AFL’s integrity and security unit, said everyone understood what was reportedly said was “both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever”.
“The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in the community. We have come a long way as a code, but this incident demonstrates there is so much more to be done.”
Clearly. The AFL has been strong on the crime and punishment aspects of what it groups as “conduct unbecoming”, but more certainly needs to be done to tackle the issue from the grassroots level up, not only for each player, but for each club and up to AFL headquarters.
The way to do this is through education, not through filling out a module, and by reading and signing a code of conduct, but from being educated by those who have suffered the debilitating effects of being subject to homophobia. Perhaps, also, a code specifically for verbal comments dealing with racial and homophobic remarks is needed, outlining the attached penalties. It has been suggested the penalty could be a combination of suspension and financial consequences, on a ratio basis linked to salary.
This stain on the game is not confined to men’s competitions; AFLW players are also subject to it, at least from the outside. Last year’s Pride Round was sullied by homophobic online remarks aimed at Richmond’s Kate Dempsey following the publication of a picture of the player with her child. In supporting her, the club said, “There is zero tolerance for homophobia, discrimination or any form of hate in our game. In short, everyone has the right to feel safe.”
And yet, there are players, the victims of homophobic slurs, who still feel a little less safe because of what has been flung at them. Football, of course, is a game of passion, hard knocks and touches of genius. Personal slurs diminish the game and demean the victim. It may be impossible to eradicate sledging, but it should not be to remove the stain from these kinds of remarks. That would be a day to celebrate.
The AFL must lead on this issue and be unequivocal about what’s acceptable or not. In a little over a month, the grand final will be held. Looking from the outer, it shouldn’t be too hard a thing to arrange entertainment. This year the centrepiece act is American rapper Snoop Dogg.
Not everyone is rapt. In defending the choice, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said: “We want grand final day to be an unforgettable celebration of footy … Snoop fits that brief better than anyone.” There may be an unintended irony in that remark.
Snoop Dogg came up through the ranks of rapperdom on a platform of sexist, misogynistic views. That may well have been the audience to which he was performing, but context comes into play here. Many are questioning the choice on a day of family entertainment.
This is not about his music, per se, but about the merging of messages the AFL is bringing to the game and its fans. The boundary lines of what is in or out should not be so blurred.
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