Izak Rankine hit with four-game ban by AFL for ‘highly offensive’ homophobic slur

Izak Rankine says he is “very sorry” after his season was potentially ended by a four-match ban handed out by the AFL for the Adelaide star’s use of a homophobic slur during the weekend’s game against Collingwood.

The AFL said “compelling medical submissions” were considered in reaching its decision, which means Rankine could yet feature again this season.

After days of deliberation – a period extended to grant the Crows more time to plead their case for a reduced ban – the AFL finally handed down its sanction on Thursday afternoon, seriously denting the club’s premiership hopes.

Rankine will miss the final round of the home-and-away season – Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne – and the next three games, but he could still return for the grand final, should the Crows lose a final en route to the flag decider.

“The AFL integrity unit found that Rankine used a highly offensive homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent – language that demeans and denigrates people regardless of their sexuality,” an AFL statement said.

“Following an investigation and submissions from Adelaide and Rankine including compelling medical submissions, Rankine has received a four-match sanction and has been ordered to undertake further Pride In Sport training.”

Rankine admitted making the slur during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game and while he did not self report, he later rang the Collingwood player to apologise and subsequently cooperated with investigation.

“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. “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.”

The ban mirrors one of two incidences earlier this season, when a four-match suspension was given to West Coast’s Jack Graham, but it was not as severe as the five games handed to Sydney player Riak Andrew. Three further bans ranging from three to six games were dished out to AFL and VFL players last year for similar offences.

The AFL has attempted to underline its zero-tolerance policy on the use of such language over the past 18 months, but dragged its heels on coming to a verdict on Rankine after the club requested more time to put forward a defence in a bid to secure a more lenient ban and keep alive the player’s hopes of playing finals for the first time in his career. A five-game suspension would certainly have ended Rankine’s season.

“Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable,” the AFL’s general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement. “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. We recognise this is a challenging time for the players and clubs involved and appropriate support has been offered.

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“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. We know people in the LGBTQI+ community and allies hurt when an incident like this happens.

“One incident of this nature is too many and the fact there have been multiple this year shows we still have more work to do and we are committed to that.”

Adelaide are guaranteed to finish in the top two after Saturday night’s narrow win over Collingwood, but celebrations were tempered after the AFL’s integrity unit was called in on Sunday to investigate reports a homophobic slur was used by a Crows player.

The absence of Rankine in September will hurt the Crows, given the goalsneak is a proven big-game performer and has been a match-winner during the team’s rise from a 15-placed finish 12 months ago to genuine premiership contention this year.

The 25-year-old has averaged 20.5 disposals and booted 31 goals as the Crows locked in their return to finals for the first time since 2017 and seek to break a 27-year premiership drought.

More to follow.

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