The AFL has slammed its own Appeals Board after its decision on Thursday evening to reduce the sanction handed to St Kilda's Lance Collard for using a homophobic slur in a VFL game.

League chief executive Andrew Dillon penned a sternly worded statement, reaffirming "homophobia has no place in Australian football; not at any level; not under any circumstances".

Collard was initially slapped with a nine-game suspension after the Tribunal found he had used a homophobic slur during the St Kilda's VFL clash against Frankston on April 9. It was the second time Collard had been found guilty of using that slur, having been suspended for six matches after pleading guilty to his first offence in 2024.

The AFL Appeals Board reduced the ban to four matches (two of which are suspended until the end of 2027), saying the initial penalty was "manifestly excessive" and providing widely-condemned reasons for the call.

The Appeals Board's reasons included the paragraph: "We observe that football is a hard game. It is highly competitive, particularly at its higher levels. It is commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field."

Those comments sparked widespread outrage and disbelief throughout the football community, leading to Friday's statement from the AFL.

"That sanction reflected the seriousness of using a homophobic slur on the field and was intended to set a clear standard for our game - particularly given this was a second offence," Dillon said in the statement of the original Collard penalty.

"The Appeals Board last night reduced the sanction to a four-match suspension, with two matches suspended until the end of next year. In our view, stronger action was not only warranted – it was necessary.

"Let me be clear: homophobia has no place in Australian football. Not at any level. Not under any circumstances."

The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) echoed the AFL's comments.

"We are deeply concerned by statements made by the AFL Appeals Board when arriving at its decision on Thursday night," AFLPA chief executive, James Gallagher, said.
 
"The AFLPA does not accept the suggestion that vilification is "commonplace" on the field between players. No matter how hard or competitive the game is, there is no excuse for racist, sexist, or homophobic language and this language is hurtful to communities beyond the individual it is directed at.
 
"Every step of this process has caused more harm to the LGBTQIA+ community, the First Nations community, and the individuals at the centre of this issue and that is something the industry must deeply reflect on. We have a shared responsibility to develop an approach that is fair, minimises and remedies the harms caused, and shifts behaviour.
 
"Football is for everyone and all players and the AFLPA remain committed to playing our part in building a culture where everyone is valued, respected, and safe."

 

The AFL was not only disappointed with the reduction in penalty, it also questioned the Appeals Board's reasoning.

"The AFL specifically rejects the Appeals Board's reasoning which stated, 'it is commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field'," Dillon said.

"The AFL strongly rejects the statement not only that such language is commonplace, but also any implication that may be a factor in determining the severity of the sanction.

"We will not accept, excuse or normalise behaviour and language that demeans, discriminates or vilifies people based on who they are.

"We acknowledge there are always broader considerations in these matters, and they must be handled with care. But they do not override the responsibility everyone has to meet the standards of the game.

"We are clear on where we stand. Respect and inclusion are not optional in our game – they are fundamental."

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