By Peter Ryan, Sam McClure and Jake Niall
The AFL has pointed to an undisclosed medical submission as the driver of their decision to give star Crow Izak Rankine a discounted suspension of four matches for a homophobic slur.
The ban leaves the door ajar for Rankine to return for the grand final, and was announced as AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon launched a fierce defence of the league’s choice of Snoop Dogg to headline the grand final entertainment, following suggestions of hypocrisy over the rapper’s historical use of homophobic and sexually demeaning language.
Rankine was initially offered a five-match ban for calling a Collingwood player a f----t during last Saturday night’s match at Adelaide Oval.
However, the Crows fought for three matches and included an expert submission on the player’s mental health, according to a source with knowledge of the process, which stretched over almost five days.
Dillon cited the compelling medical evidence in explaining Rankine’s suspension, which was short of the five-match bans previously handed to players who did not self-report.
The ban means the Crows will be without their most electrifying match-winner for round 24 and the start of their finals campaign. Should the Crows, who have a double chance, lose their first final but make it through to the grand final, Rankine would be able to play in the decider.
Speaking at his media conference on Thursday afternoon, Dillon said the medical argument was critical in determining the outcome.
He insisted the fact that Rankine’s finals series was at stake was not a factor.
“No, a game is a game,” Dillon said.
He added that the suspension would “absolutely” be the same length if the incident had happened in round five, and defended the lengthy process to arrive at a conclusion.
“It’s serious. There are significant prices to pay. We’ve taken our time, we’ve got to the outcome.”
Izak Rankine has been suspended for making a homophobic slur.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Rankine is the sixth AFL-listed player to be suspended for an on-field homophobic comment in the past two seasons.
Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson received a three-match ban, with a warning that the next player to transgress could expect a heavier sanction. Gold Coast’s Wil Powell (five matches), West Coast’s Jack Graham (four, after self-reporting), Swans-listed player Riak Andrew (five), and St Kilda-listed Lance Collard (six, for multiple comments) are the others.
“There’s a range when we look at it, we’ve had a number of instances in the last couple of years, and there’s been in the AFL, three, four and five match suspensions,” Dillon said.
“We look at the specific instances, and in this one, there were submissions made, including compelling medical submissions that were taken into account.”
The AFL has never had an openly gay player. While Dillon acknowledged there was more work to do, he was adamant the league was serious about creating safe environments for the LGBTQ community.
“That’s something that’s really important to me. It’s really important to our staff. It’s really important to our clubs and I know it’s important to our playing group. We’ll continue to make that point to make sure our clubs and environments are the best that they can be, so our people can be their best selves,” he said.
The AFL integrity unit found Rankine guilty of conduct unbecoming in that he had used “a highly offensive homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent – language that demeans and denigrates people regardless of their sexuality”.
He was also ordered to undertake further Pride In Sport training.
“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 in a statement from Adelaide on Thursday afternoon.
“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.”
CEO Tim Silvers said the Crows were extremely disappointed with Rankine’s behaviour and will not appeal the ban.
“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.”
AFL general counsel Stephen Meade described Rankine’s language as “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,” Meade said.
“Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable. Adelaide have 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.”
Dillon defends Snoop Dogg
Groups fighting to end violence against women have slammed the AFL for choosing Snoop Dogg as the main act at next month’s grand final pre-game show, while others have drawn attention to his history of using homophobic language.
However, Dillon alluded to Snoop’s more recent image and was adamant his pre-game show in front of 100,000 at the MCG would be suitable for all ages.
“We cannot vouch for every lyric for every song ever written of performed, by any artist who has or will appear on our stage, Australian or international. But what I can say is our pre-match entertainment on grand final day will be family-friendly and consistent with the audience at the MCG and for those watching the broadcast,” Dillon said.
“We have engaged Snoop Dogg in 2025 as the person he is today. He has spoken publicly about his past. He has changed. And today is a grandfather, philanthropist, he helps rehabilitate youth and he is a global entertainer who has performed at both the Superbowl and the Olympic Closing Ceremony audiences of more than 100 million people.”
‘Long bans on their own will not shift behaviour’
Footy fan and South Australian LGBTQ advocate Joshua Bradley said a mixture of education, transparency and fair consequences were needed to help stamp out homophobia in the AFL.
“Progress is real, though the core issue is cultural and starts in community footy,” he said after the Rankine ban was announced. “We will not change a culture overnight. Clear standards and timely action matter, but long bans on their own will not shift behaviour.”
To address homophobia, Bradley said parents and players needed to be taught why slurs about sexuality, race, or disability could cause harm.
“Calling someone a f---ing potato is still abuse and not OK, but calling someone a f----t harms a whole community that may be listening on the sidelines,” Bradley said.
“Use a simple club language standard, a clear way to call it out in the moment, and a ladder of responses that starts with an apology and reflection, then education or community work, fines where needed, and club penalties for patterns.”
AFL Fans Association patron Jason Ball, an LGBTQIA+ and mental health advocate, said the impact of homophobic language went beyond one player missing games.
“Homophobic language in football does not just affect the person it’s directed at. It creates an environment where LGBTQIA+ players and fans feel unwelcome or unsafe,” he said.
“Many never even get the chance to participate fully in the sport, because they walk away before reaching their potential.”
“As a young footballer, hearing homophobic slurs made me feel like I didn’t belong and kept me from coming out for years. My story reflects what many LGBTQIA+ athletes go through: we love the game, but the culture tells us we don’t belong in it.”
with Hannah Kennelly
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