St Kilda Cut From Afl Pride Game After Lance Collard Homopbobia Case

The fallout continues from nan Lance Collard AFL tribunal case, pinch St Kilda trim from nan yearly Pride Game against Sydney.

The fixture, which celebrates LGBTIQA+ inclusivity, was expected to return spot erstwhile nan Swans were hosting nan Saints successful information 13 astatine nan SCG. Instead, nan fixture has been switched to nan Swans’ lucifer against nan Western Bulldogs successful information 17.

Collard, a fringe Saints player, was initially recovered blameworthy of utilizing homophobic connection successful a VFL crippled and was banned for 7 matches. It was his 2nd offence for utilizing a homophobic slur.

St Kilda appealed and nan punishment was dropped to 2 weeks, pinch different 2 weeks suspended. But nan AFL sacked entreaty committee chair Will Houghton KC past period aft he had said successful nan last verdict that racist, sexist aliases homophobic connection was “commonplace” successful nan game.

Now nan Swans person trim ties pinch St Kilda for nan Pride Game, which has been contested betwixt nan 2 clubs since 2016, because of nan Collard case.

“We felt it was due to displacement our 2026 Pride Match to guarantee nan crippled has nan affirmative effect that is intended,” nan Swans said successful a connection connected Wednesday night.

“It is important that nan attraction is connected nan affirmative acquisition we are creating for nan communities astatine nan bosom of Pride Game. We guidelines pinch nan LGBTIQA+ organization and judge that athletics has nan powerfulness to bring group together and observe inclusivity. That’s why Pride Game matters.”

Lance Collard ended pinch a two-game prohibition for nan usage of a homophobic slur. Photograph: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Saints besides released a statement, pinch their main executive Carl Dilena saying they had wanted to enactment progressive successful nan Pride Game.

“Following nan extended media sum of nan caller AFL tribunal matter and associated nationalist reaction, our nine has been successful discussions pinch Sydney Swans, nan Rainbow Swans protagonist group, Pride Cup, and nan AFL,” Dilena said.

“I want to convey everyone progressive for nan respectful and constructive measurement those discussions person been approached. As a consequence of those conversations, nan determination has been made that our lucifer pinch Sydney this twelvemonth will nary longer beryllium played nether nan Pride Game banner.

“While we would person preferred to proceed pinch nan Pride Game nickname to support inclusion and education, we understand and support nan determination fixed nan effect nan caller publicity has had connected members of nan LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities.”