Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine has been handed a four-game ban for using a homophobic slur during an AFL match on Saturday night.
The AFL handed down the penalty on Thursday afternoon, following days of speculation.
It was initially reported that Rankine was to receive a five-match ban, ruling him out of the Grand Final should the Crows have featured.
The Crows are in top spot on the competition ladder with one regular-season match to go.
Background
Rankine was referred to the league’s Integrity Unit earlier this week for an alleged slur during the Crows’ Friday night match against Collingwood.
On Monday, Crows vice-captain Taylor Walker said Rankine was “very remorseful” and would accept whatever sanction was laid.
It is the latest in a string of homophobic comments made by players, including West Coast Eagles player Jack Graham (four match suspension) and the Sydney Swans’ Riak Andrew (five match suspension), both last month.
Rankine
In a statement, Rankine said: “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.”
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The AFL said Rankine had been ordered to “undertake further Pride in Sport training”.
It said Rankine had “fully co-operated” with its investigation, and had called the player he used the slur against to apologise. The AFL said it relied on submissions from Adelaide and Rankine, as well as “compelling medical submissions” in determining the length of the ban.
Finals
Regardless of their performance against the North Melbourne Kangaroos this weekend, the Crows will qualify for this year’s finals series.
There are two possible routes for the Crows to make the grand final.
Three games: If the Crows win their Week 1 finals match, they progress to Week 3. Should they win that, they progress to the Grand Final.
In this scenario, Rankine would still miss the Grand Final under a four-match ban (one more round of the regular season, and three finals).
Four games: If the Crows lose their Week 1 finals match, they then play in Week 2. Should they win that, they progress to Week 3, and then the Grand Final.
In this scenario, Rankine would be eligible to play in the Grand Final as he would have missed four games (one regular season fixture and Weeks 1, 2 and 3 of the finals).
