Adelaide and its forward Izak Rankine remain in discussions with the AFL over his pending ban for a homophobic slur, as Crows coach Matthew Nicks had a scheduled press conference delayed until Friday.
The Crows remain uncertain when they will learn the fate of Rankine, set to be the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for a homophobic remark to an opponent in the past 16 months.
Talks between Adelaide hierarchy and the AFL have stretched into a fourth day.
Loading…
“We are having ongoing discussions with the AFL as part of the due process,” a Crows spokesman said on Wednesday.
Rankine is facing a suspension of between three and five games after admitting to making a homophobic slur to a Collingwood opponent in Adelaide’s three-point win last Saturday night.
The 25-year-old apologised to the unnamed Magpie player on Sunday as the AFL’s integrity unit launched an investigation.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae, asked if his player involved was OK, replied: “Yeah, I think so.”
“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,” McRae told reporters on Wednesday.
“But I don’t want to demonise Izak either. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes.
“He seems like a really respectful young man and he’s made an error, so the AFL will take their own course on that.”
Rankine risks being suspended for the entire finals campaign of ladder-leading Adelaide, who are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and are then assured of hosting two finals.
Adelaide is lobbying for a three-game ban for Rankine, which would offer the playmaker a finals lifeline.
But there is widespread belief the AFL is pushing for a five-game suspension, which would end Rankine’s season.
Rankine will not train with his Crows teammates on Wednesday.
A scheduled Wednesday media conference with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has been postponed until Friday.
Last month, West Coast’s Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player.
In April last year, Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games, and the next month, Gold Coast’s Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for homophobic slurs.
Two VFL players have also been banned for the same offence.
Last month, Sydney defender Riak Andrew was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans’ reserves team against North Melbourne.
In July last year, St Kilda’s Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown.
AAP
Discussion about this post