The AFL has granted the Adelaide Crows’ request for additional time to respond to the league’s proposed suspension for Izak Rankine for an alleged homophobic slur directed towards a Collingwood player. And Magpies coach Craig McRae has revealed the Collingwood player involved is doing okay.
Rankine and the Crows remain in discussions with the AFL over his pending ban, with the league reportedly pushing for a five-week suspension. As revealed by Eddie McGuire on Channel 9 on Tuesday night, Rankine would be facing a five-match suspension that would mean his season is over regardless of how far the Crows go in the finals.
A decision was expected to be announced on Wednesday, but talks between the AFL and Crows will now stretch into a fifth day. The 25-year-old has admitted to making a homophobic slur towards a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide’s three-point win last Saturday night.
Rankine apologised to the unnamed Magpies player on Sunday, and the AFL’s integrity unit subsequently launched an investigation. On Wednesday night, it was revealed the AFL has granted the Crows more time to respond to the proposed five-game ban.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has spoken amid the Izak Rankine situation. Image: Getty
Collingwood and Adelaide coaches speak
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in his weekly media conference, Collingwood coach McRae said he’d spoken to the Pies player involved. “We had a good chat over the weekend and then again Monday morning just to check in, it’s about making sure our players are safe,” he said.
“But I don’t want to demonise Izak either. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and the young lad seems like a really respectful young man and he’s made an error. The AFL will take their own course on that, but you’re allowed to make mistakes too.”
Izak Rankine in action for Adelaide against Collingwood. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The Crows have one game remaining in the regular season, before a maximum of four in the finals if they win the premiership. The club has been bracing for a ban of between three and five games, but has been in discussions with the AFL over the circumstances that led to Rankine making the slur.
Rankine didn’t train with his teammates on Wednesday afternoon, and Adelaide postponed a scheduled media conference with coach Matthew Nicks until Friday. When approached by reporters at training, Nicks said Rankine is “doing all right” with support from the club.
Nicks admitted the intense spotlight had been a distraction for the Crows ahead of their clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. “But no, we’re locked in on what we’re doing this weekend,” Nicks said.
“We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it’s going to be tough from here. But we’ll work our way through it.”
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AFL’s previous bans for homophobic slurs
Rankine is set to become the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for making a homophobic remark since April last year. Last month, West Coast player Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark towards a GWS player.
Last year, Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games, and Wil Powell of the Gold Coast was suspended for five matches – both for directing homophobic slurs at opponents. Two VFL players have also recently been banned for homophobic slurs, while Sydney defender Riak Andrew was was suspended for five matches last month for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans’ reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda player Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown.
with AAP