Sydney Swans listed participant Riak Andrew might be suspended from VFL and AFL matches for 5 weeks, after being discovered responsible of utilizing a “extremely offensive homophobic slur”.
The incident occurred in a VFL match final weekend, the place Andrew was discovered to have made a slur in the direction of a North Melbourne opponent throughout the first quarter.
The incident was reported to an umpire by North Melbourne on the finish of the quarter.
Andrew can even undertake Delight in Sport training, in accordance with a media launch from the league.
“It is necessary that we proceed to clarify that homophobia or homophobic language has no place in our sport at any degree or within the wider group, for that matter,” AFL Common Counsel Stephen Meade mentioned.
“It’s disappointing to be coping with one other incident, and whereas we’ll at all times look at the person circumstances, the clear message is that this language is just not acceptable in any office, and that features on the sphere of play.”
The incident involving Andrew comes barely per week after West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was handed a four-match ban for utilizing a homophobic slur throughout a match towards the GWS Giants.
Three AFL gamers have been suspended for utilizing homophobic slurs throughout matches in 2024.
Gold Coast’s Wil Powell (5 matches) and Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson (three matches) have been banned within the AFL.
St Kilda’s Lance Collard obtained a six-match penalty following a slur made in the direction of two Williamstown gamers in a VFL fixture.
