AFL investigating an alleged homophobic slur made by Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson to an Essendon player
Port Adelaide has responded after the AFL’s integrity unit opened an investigation into a comment made by forward Jeremy Finlayson during last night’s win.
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Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has admitted to using a homophobic slur against an Essendon player in the Power’s Friday night win over the Bombers.
As the AFL investigates the slur, the Power released a statement saying Finlayson was contrite about the comment and apologised to the Bombers player post game.
He will also be counselled by club leaders following the incident.
“Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has admitted to making a homophobic slur against an Essendon opponent during the third quarter of last night’s game at Adelaide Oval,” the Power said.
“A contrite Finlayson made the club aware during the three-quarter time break and apologised to the victim on field after the final siren last night.
“Finlayson, who will be counselled by club leaders in the coming days, will provide a statement tomorrow.
“The club will now wait for the AFL to complete its investigation.”
It is understood that the on-field umpires’ microphone picked up Finlayson making the comment against a Bombers player, with it also heard and called out by Essendon teammates.
The AFL will run its process through the integrity unit.
“We are aware of an alleged comment made by a Port Adelaide player in last night’s match vs Essendon,” AFL spokesman Jay Allen said.
“We are taking this matter extremely seriously.
“AFLIU are now investigating and we will provide an update once that investigation is completed.”
Finlayson kicked 3.1 and had 19 disposals in the Power’s dominant win over the Bombers.
The three goals came after an inaccurate start to the season by the 28-year-old, who can also play ruck.
Earlier this year, North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson was fined $20,000 for “highly inappropriate language” in an ugly altercation with St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster at a pre-season game.
The league also handed Clarkson a suspended two-match ban that will hang over his head until the end of the 2025 season if he again breaches rule 2.3(a) in the AFL code of conduct.
He will also need to attend league-approved “Pride in Sport” training during the 2024 season.
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