Izak Rankine suspension: Adelaide Crows star finds out ban verdict after homophobic slur

Adelaide star Izak Rankine has been slapped with a four-game suspension for his homophobic slur.

The AFL’s integrity unit probed Rankine’s comment directed at a Collingwood opponent during last weekend’s clash, with the league on Thursday ruling the Crow would be ineligible to feature in at least the first three games of his club’s finals campaign after being found guilty of using language “that demeans and denigrates people regardless of their sexuality”.

But it leaves the door ajar for a potential grand final recall, should Adelaide lose their qualifying final and then win their way into the decider from there.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ RANKINE’S APOLOGY

The ban came after days of debate and discussion among the AFL community around what penalty Rankine deserved, and followed lengthy discussions between the league and the Crows as they attempted to land on a verdict.

The suspension is in a similar range to that of West Coast’s Jack Graham, who missed four matches earlier this season having “self-reported” his slur, and Gold Coast’s Wil Powell, who was given a five-game suspension last year.

The league said it took into account “compelling medical submissions” - believed to be the mental health toll of potentially missing out on a grand final - and Rankine’s remorse, including phoning the Collingwood player the day after last Saturday night’s game to apologise, when deciding its verdict.

AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said the highly-offensive language used by Rankine was “offensive, hurtful and highly inappropriate”.

“Our players have a very clear understanding of what is acceptable on the football field. Importantly, in this instance it was called out by players and acknowledged by Izak himself as wrong — and that reflects the standards we expect and demand in our game,” he said.

“Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable. 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. Everyone in football understands the rules, and there are consequences of breaching them.

“We recognise this is a challenging time for the players and clubs involved, and appropriate support has been offered. 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.”

Rankine will also undertake Pride In Sport training as part of his penalty.

I regret using the word and I am very sorry for doing so

The suspension is a massive blow for Adelaide’s premiership hopes. Rankine has been among the Crows’ most influential players in their rise to the top of the ladder this season, featuring in every game in his career-best campaign.

The 25-year-old is one of just three players league-wide to average in excess of 20 disposals and one goal per game, along with Marcus Bontempelli and Isaac Heeney.

While the suspension means Rankine could be available for a potential Crows grand final, should they lose their qualifying final and then advance, it also means he could miss games at the start of next season, depending on how deep Adelaide go into this year’s finals.

The Crows face North Melbourne this weekend before beginning their September campaign, which will be either two, three or four games in length depending on results given the club has sewn up a finals double chance with a top-four spot.

Over the past 15 years, there have been five instances of a team losing a qualifying final before going on to play in that year’s decider: Richmond and Geelong in 2020, Collingwood in 2018, Sydney in 2016 and Hawthorn in 2015.

Rankine’s apology

In a statement, Rankine said he was remorseful for his actions.

“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.”

Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers said while the club was disappointed in Rankine’s actions, they were committed to supporting their player.

“Such language is unacceptable and at odds with the values of our organisation, and we are committed to being a club that fosters a respectful and inclusive environment,” Silvers said.

“We are obviously frustrated and disappointed however, player welfare is always a priority and we will provide Izak with the appropriate support and education.”

AFL CEO’S message

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon fronted a press conference on Thursday afternoon to address the ban, but refused to divulge any information about the “compelling medical submissions” that played a role in the penalty being four matches rather than five.

Dillon said the league would continue to work to stamp out homophobic language after a string of incidents across the past two years.

“One incident is one too many, and the fact there have been multiple incidents over the last 18 months shows there is still much work to do,” he said.

“Players get taunted, players get provoked. But when the line is crossed, there must be accountability, and in this instance, Izak has paid a significant price.

“Let me be very clear: This behaviour and language is not acceptable. I won’t stand for it, and nor will our organisation or the broader industry.”

Dillon defended the AFL’s hiring of veteran US rapper Snoop Dogg for this year’s grand final entertainment, with criticism from some factions this week about the entertainer using inappropriate language - including the word that Rankine allegedly said last weekend - in his music.

“We cannot vouch for every lyric in every song ever written or performed by any artist who has or will appear on our stage, Australian or international,” Dillon said.

“What I can say is our pre-match entertainment on grand final day will be family friendly and consistent with the audience at the MCG and watching on the broadcast.

“It’s also important to remember we’ve engaged Snoop Dogg in 2025 for the person he is today. He has spoken publicly about his past and he’s changed. Today he’s a grandfather, philanthropist, he helps rehabilitate youth and is a global entertainer who has performed at both the Super Bowl and the Olympic closing ceremony to audiences of 100 million people.”