AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has countered concerns over LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the AFL and backed the AFL Integrity Unit's decision to hand Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine a four-game ban for using a homophobic slur against a Collingwood player last Saturday night, stating "there must be accountability" in instances like these.
Fronting the media on Thursday afternoon, Dillon denied that the AFL treated Adelaide's upcoming Finals fixtures as more significant and refused to detail the 'compelling medical submission', which factored in the ban being reduced from five matches to four.
7 News' Mitch Cleary has since reported that the medical submissions "centred around mental health concerns" and the impact the lengthy suspension would have taken on Rankine.
"A game is a game and that is what we took into account," Dillon said.
"The language used was offensive, hurtful and highly inappropriate. Importantly this incident was called out by the players and ultimately acknowledged by Izak as wrong.
"Inclusion and respect are key priorities for the AFL, central to who we are is a game and organisation.
"I know people in the LGBTQI+ community are hurting when an incident like this occurs. One incident is one too many and the factor of multiple incidents in the last 18 months shows there is still much work to do.
"Players get taunted, players get provoked. When the line is crossed, there must be accountability and, in this instance, Izak is paying a significant price.
"Let me be very clear, this behaviour is not acceptable."
Dillon also suggested that the hiring of Snoop Dogg as Grand Final entertainment was not hypocritical, despite the 53-year-old's history of using homophobic slurs in his music in the past.
"We cannot vouch that every song ever written or performed by every artist that has or will perform on a stage, international or Australian," Dillon said.
"What I can say is our entertainment on Grand Final day will be family friendly and consistent with those expecting the broadcast.
"Snoop has spoken publicly about his past, he has changed and today, Snoop Dogg is a grandfather, philanthropist, helps rehabilitate youth and as an entertainer has performed at both the Super Bowl and Olympic closing ceremony to audiences of more than 100 million people.
"In those environments, his performance was appropriate and well received. [His] performance this year at our Grand Final is befitting for the best sporting event in our country."
Dillon admitted that the number of incidents involving homophobic language is a concern but was adamant that AFL clubs remained a safe place for those in the community.
"What we do want to have is a safe and inclusive environment at out clubs, venues and AFL house. That's really important to me, our staff, our clubs and our playing group," Dillon said.
"We'll continue to work to make sure our environments are the best they can be.
"I don't want this to happen again. I don't think footy is an unsafe place, but we have to continue to make this environment safer and more inclusive.
"This is a really serious issue. It's one we take seriously, and it has significant ramifications for the player and club and competition."
Rankine's four-match ban is the same punishment that was given to Eagles defender Jack Graham, who self-reported his usage of a "highly offensive homophobic slur" in Round 17 against GWS. Sydney's Riak Andrew was given a five-game suspension for using a homophobic slur during a VFL match in July.
