Gold Coast ruckman Max Knobel is the latest AFL player to be investigated over an alleged homophobic slur.

The alleged incident occurred during Gold Coast’s VFL match against Brisbane on Saturday.

The matter has been directly referred to the AFL’s integrity unit.

If found guilty, the 21-year-old – who is yet to make his AFL debut – would face a multi-week ban.

In a statement on Sunday, the Suns said they are aware of the allegation and are co-operating with the AFL’s Integrity Unity.

“The Gold Coast Suns are aware of an incident involving one of its players in Saturday’s VFL match against the Brisbane Lions,” the Suns said in a statement.

“The club is currently co-operating fully with the AFL’s Integrity Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.”

In a statement, the AFL said: “We have been made aware of a matter arising from the VFL Round 11 match between the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions, which has been referred to the AFL Integrity Unit.”

Earlier this year, Brisbane Lions draftee Koby Evans received a four-game ban for directing a homophobic slur towards a VFL opponent.

That came just weeks after Saints star Lance Collard was hit with a two-match ban, and a further two matches suspended for his second incident of the same nature in three years.

Since the start of 2024, a further five AFL players have been sanctioned for homophobic slurs.

Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson (three games), Adelaide’s Izak Rankine (four games), West Coast’s Jack Graham (four games), Sydney’s Riak Andrew (five games) and Gold Coast’s Wil Powell (five games) have all been sanctioned for slurs in the past three seasons.

Knobel, the son of former Brisbane, St Kilda and Richmond player Trent, is yet to play an AFL match.

He was originally drafted to Fremantle with pick No. 42 in 2022 before being delisted by the Dockers at the end of 2024, but with the promise he would be re-signed in the rookie draft.

However, the Suns snagged him at the draft with pick 4.

Most recently he had 39 hit-outs, 13 disposals and four clearances in Gold Coast’s 17-point win on Saturday.

Originally published as Gold Coast ruckman Max Knobel investigated over alleged homophobic slur