NO TROLLS Rankine handed a 4 match suspension by the AFL integrity unit for a homophobic slur against opponent

[Dan26]

Would you want white men suspended for calling each other white honkeys?

No of course not. The point I’m making is if two black athletes using the n-word on each other (quite often derogatory) isn’t considered a racist slur, then how could a heterosexual using the f-word against another heterosexual be considered a homophobic slur?

 

[LeeCarvallo]

No of course not. The point is if two black athletes using the n-word on each other (quite often derogatory) isn’t considered a racist slur then how could a heterosexual using the f-word against another heterosexual be considered a homophobic slur?

Because two white people saying the N word together is also not acceptable. If two queer players called each other that slur and neither had a problem, it would be fine.

Not to mention, statistically, there are very likely to be active queer players in the AFL right now.
It's almost guaranteed that there have been plenty of gay players in the past.

None have ever been openly gay.

So 1. you don't know who you're talking to - he may very well have said it to someone who was closeted or queer.
and 2. it's still a slur. It's use and intent is supposed to be derogatory. That's still not acceptable in a work environment.

 

[RCAB]

It goes to show how ****ed up things are when a Swan's player gets fingers deliberately stuck up his ass a couple of weeks ago for everyone to see and the AFL find no case to answer, but a little heat of the battle slur on the field not picked up by microphones is supposedly going to cost a player a finals series.
That just don't sit right.

That's not at all what happened in both cases.

 

[mouncey2franklin]

It leads me to suspect they may be a little stupid to say such things on-field in the current climate.

It doesn't change my opinion of them as a footballer.

And even if they are a little stupid, so what? The world is full of such people.

It doesn't lead me to think they are a bad person.

If on the other hand, somebody goes around punching people or intentionally collecting them head-high, then yeah, it leads me to think they might actually be a shit person.

Not necessarily, but it is a fair indicator.

 

[Rank]

That's not at all what happened in both cases.

What happened

 

[ep2018]

I think this is a good opportunity for the AFL to bring in a more sensible 2 week suspension as opposed to 4+ weeks.

Rankine misses the last game of the season and a qualifying final, that is still a huge penalty.

Keep the 4+ week suspensions for heat of the moment bigot words for those who do it multiple times.

 

[The_Reaper]

I think this is a good opportunity for the AFL to bring in a more sensible 2 week suspension as opposed to 4+ weeks.

Rankine misses the last game of the season and a qualifying final, that is still a huge penalty.

Keep the 4+ week suspensions for heat of the moment bigot words for those who do it multiple times.

the AFL loses credibility if it reduces a sentence solely because it’s a good player in a finals team.

Graham is the precedent set just a month or so back

 

[FyfeToAdelaide]

the AFL loses credibility if it reduces a sentence solely because it’s a good player in a finals team.

Graham is the precedent set just a month or so back

What credibility?

 

[Kappa]

I completely reject homophobia. It has no place in society and must be eradicated. However, the AFL’s long suspensions for homophobic slurs demonstrate inflexibility and rely on the wrong disciplinary tool. These slurs are often used casually in Aussie culture as reflex insults meaning “soft” or “weak,” not literal attacks (doesn't make it okay).

This heavy handed approach is not in line with punishments for other on or off field offences. Poor respect for sexuality, typically expressed through off the cuff remarks, shouldn’t threaten players’ right to play. Education is paramount, both within clubs and in the public sphere. Financial penalties and comprehensive mandatory education programs would be far more effective than suspensions alone.

Despite efforts since 2014 acknowledging that real change requires education and cultural shifts (not just bans),
a more creative and balanced strategy combining consequences with education and awareness campaigns is clearly needed for long-term progress. Precedent suggests Rankine should face a five-week ban, but the AFL must rethink this approach moving forward.

It's hilarious you think players have a "right to play" (they don't) but not a right to avoid homophobic abuse (they do)

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I think this is a good opportunity for the AFL to bring in a more sensible 2 week suspension as opposed to 4+ weeks.

Rankine misses the last game of the season and a qualifying final, that is still a huge penalty.

Keep the 4+ week suspensions for heat of the moment bigot words for those who do it multiple times.

How is that remotely fair on the players that have copped it this year? 4 weeks does that and gives Adelaide a carrot if they lose week 1. Only having him suspended for one final is but a big enough deterrent

 

[The_Reaper]

How is that remotely fair on the players that have copped it this year? 4 weeks does that and gives Adelaide a carrot if they lose week 1. Only having him suspended for one final is but a big enough deterrent

Surely suspensions are for matches and do not include weeks where no matches are played?

 

[Kappa]

If it was a Collingwood player saying it to a Crow player I doubt we would have even heard about it, Pathetic that Collingwood lose the game and snitch like a bunch of sore losers.
Definitely not worthy of missing a final but society has gone piss weak and the AFL will hand out an excessive penalty too avoid backlash.

Do you understand the difference between 'to" and "too"?

 

[Gary McIntosh]

Ive been thinking about this all day and not knowing the full details .... but other than the shit comment itself and its rightful impact on rankine and the club... the thing that shits me off the most is the dobbing aspect from collingwood players... why did they not remonstrate with rankine on field first?

Fly the flag and stick up for your players if the comment offended you as such instead of running to the AFL after the siren? Give rankine a warning to his face about his words and not through coaches/jon ralph and the shameful afl media... I mean if tom Morris opens his mouth on this front.... VOM....

Maybe they did ... but maybe they didn't ... grown men and AFL Captains should be willing to call it out on the field.

 

[Rank]

Do you understand the difference between 'to" and "too"?

My first thought was he must of made the comment to Moore, I don't know why.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

No of course not. The point I’m making is if two black athletes using the n-word on each other (quite often derogatory) isn’t considered a racist slur, then how could a heterosexual using the f-word against another heterosexual be considered a homophobic slur?

As pointed out above, you have raised a false equivalent here.

This might be more a white guy calling another white guy the n word in an abusive tone when there are or could be black people present. Take a visit to Harlem and give it a go and see how that works out for you.

The thing is even notwithstanding that there may be no gay person within earshot, these remarks are offensive to gay people by their very nature. There is no need to be saying or thinking such things. It is something that needs to be discontinued, and these sort of remarks should never have been in our vernacular to start with.

However, if Rankine misses a whole finals series due to one slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment, it will only serve to show the AFL has painted itself into a corner by handing out punishments that equate to violent incidents that result in concussions. There is, and has been, simply no need for punishments on that scale for this type of incident. Short suspensions or large fines would have exactly the same effect.

 

[Hobbes]

As pointed out above, you have raised a false equivalent here.

This might be more a white guy calling another white guy the n word in an abusive tone when there are or could be black people present. Take a visit to Harlem and give it a go and see how that works out for you.

The thing is even notwithstanding that there may be no gay person within earshot, these remarks are offensive to gay people by their very nature. There is no need to be saying or thinking such things. It is something that needs to be discontinued, and these sort of remarks should never have been in our vernacular to start with.

However, if Rankine misses a whole finals series due to one slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment, it will only serve to show the AFL has painted itself into a corner by handing out punishments that equate to violent incidents that result in concussions. There is, and has been, simply no need for punishments on that scale for this type of incident. Short suspensions or large fines would have exactly the same effect.

They could easily ramp up the sentences for repeat offenders.

 

[Rank]

How is that remotely fair on the players that have copped it this year? 4 weeks does that and gives Adelaide a carrot if they lose week 1. Only having him suspended for one final is but a big enough deterrent

Were your feelings hurt after hearing about the slur?

 

[canny30]

Clearly pissed someone off if it got back to the AFL in less than 24 hrs - Jack Graham had to self report a week later to get himself an early holiday.

The article quotes the precedents set for homophobic abuse fwiw. That's usually there way of hinting what it might be about.

I think the Pies just saw it as an opportunity get arguably the best player on the ladder leaders suspended for the finals.....and I'd do the same

Edit: For everyone disagreeing.....id just like to point out that they know what the ramifications of reporting this are. Moore could quite easily have pulled Rankine aside and had a chat to him about how offensive this...especially as the AFLPA president.

Moore chose the road that leads to a 5 week suspension.

As I said, id do the same, I'm not judging Moores actions.....I'm pointing out facts.

 

[Seedsfan]

Make your bed then you got to lie in it. We all knew the length of suspensions the AFL has been handing out for this and he chose to go there. He has nobody to blame but himself.

 

[Rank]

Do you understand the difference between 'to" and "too"?

I understand the difference between being able to accept a close defeat like men and being a bunch of dobbing sooks.
I reckon there's even a few Collingwood players in the group that wouldn't agree with how this played out.
Even as a supporter id be disappointed if Crows players went crying about on field words in the heat of battle.

 

[Seedsfan]

I understand the difference between being able to accept a close defeat like men and being a bunch of dobbing sooks.
I reckon there's even a few Collingwood players in the group that wouldn't agree with how this played out.
Even as a supporter id be disappointed if Crows players went crying about on field words in the heat of battle.

Cry me a river champ. FMD this attitude is so typical of the modern world, zero personal accountability he was the one who ****ed up.

 

[Rank]

Make your bed then you got to lie in it. We all knew the length of suspensions the AFL has been handing out for this and he chose to go there. He has nobody to blame but himself.

The penality hasn't been handed down and Maynard of all people has a lott to say. That bloke was lucky to play in the 23 GF

 

[Rank]

Cry me a river champ. FMD this attitude is so typical of the modern world, zero personal accountability he was the one who ****ed up.

The Collingwood players did all the crying Saturday pal, that's why we're here now.
Isn't it amazing how the self entitled mob lose a few close one's then coach starts rambling and the players turn into sooks.
I Hope Bobby is alright.

 

[Seedsfan]

The Collingwood players did all the crying Saturday pal, that's why we're here now.
Isn't it amazing how the self entitled mob lose a few close one's then coach starts rambling and the players turn into sooks.
I Hope Bobby is alright.

No we are here now due to Rankine’s action. You seriously don’t get personal accountability.

 

[Romeoh1]

Feel sorry for the crows that they won’t have their best player for the finals. Must be hard to take.
Nonetheless, the carry on by some crows fans on here is very ordinary.