Izak Rankine Hit With Four-game Ban By Afl For ‘highly Offensive’ Homophobic Slur

Izak Rankine’s play has perchance ended aft nan AFL handed nan Adelaide prima a four-game prohibition for utilizing a homophobic slur during nan weekend’s crippled against Collingwood, pinch “compelling aesculapian submissions” considered by nan convention successful reaching its decision.

After days of deliberation – extended to assistance nan Crows much clip to plead their lawsuit for a reduced prohibition – nan AFL yet handed down its punishment connected Thursday, earnestly denting nan club’s premiership hopes.

Rankine will miss nan last information of nan home-and-away play – Saturday’s conflict against North Melbourne – and nan adjacent 3 games, but he could return for nan expansive final, should nan Crows suffer a last en way to nan emblem decider.

“The AFL integrity portion recovered that Rankine utilized a highly violative homophobic slur against a Collingwood force – connection that demeans and denigrates group sloppy of their sexuality,” an AFL connection read.

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

Adelaide are guaranteed to decorativeness successful nan apical 2 aft Saturday night’s constrictive triumph complete Collingwood, but celebrations were tempered aft nan AFL’s integrity portion was called successful connected Sunday to analyse reports a homophobic slur was utilized by a Crows player.

The absence of Rankine successful September will wounded nan Crows, fixed nan goalsneak is simply a proven big-game performer and has been a match-winner during nan team’s emergence from a 15-placed decorativeness 12 months agone to genuine premiership contention this year.

The 25-year-old has averaged 20.5 disposals and booted 31 goals arsenic nan Crows locked successful their return to finals for nan first clip since 2017 and activity to break a 27-year premiership drought.

More to follow.