David Koch called out over remarks surrounding Jeremy Finlayson’s homophobic slur

Port Adelaide club president David Koch has been called out after remarks he made surrounding Jeremy Finlayson’s homophobic slur.

David Koch speaks on Finlayson slur

Port Adelaide president David Koch has come under fire over remarks he made while discussing the Jeremy Finlayson incident on Sunday morning.

Finlayson is under AFL investigation after the Power forward admitted to aiming a homophobic slur at an Essendon player in Friday’s game at Adelaide Oval.

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The club issued a statement on Saturday night confirming that a contrite Finlayson made the club aware during the three-quarter time break” of the incident “and apologised to the victim on the field after the final siren last night”.

The Bombers player Finlayson directed the comment towards is not yet known. The AFL stated on Saturday night they would be investigating the matter.

“We are taking this matter extremely seriously,” an AFL spokesman said.

“AFLIU [integrity unit] are now investigating and we will provide an update once that investigation is completed.”

Koch appeared on ABC’s Offsiders to discuss the matter alongside host Kelli Underwood, veteran journo Caroline Wilson and AFL footy boss Laura Kane.

“There’s no excuse for it. Jeremy was incredibly remorseful, actually told the coaches at three-quarter time that it was inexcusable, went and apologised to the player after the game,” Koch said.

“That’s no excuse whatsoever. It’s in the heat of the battle, should not have done it and we’ll wait for the AFL to go through its process.”

Both Wilson and Underwood raised Taylor Walker’s six-week ban which stemmed from the Adelaide Crows using a racial slur on an opponent.

Kane played a straight bat to questions surrounding the two being linked and what sort of punishment the league could hand down to Finlayson.

Koch however wasn’t on board with the two being linked and say the league had set a precedent with the ruling it handed down to North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.

“Not ruling it out (an internal investigation), but, umm, you know, if you look at comparisons and benchmarks that have been set,” Koch said.

“With a 55-year-old coach premeditated, target the player, walk up to them is very different to a player in the heat of battle when there was a lot of niggle in the game, the pressure again - absolutely no excuse, not condoning it whatever, and should not be part of the game, but if you’re going to look at a comparison, that would be the benchmark there.”

Finlayson used the slur during the Friday night match. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Underwood pressed the club president and asked: “If I put it to you, it’s in the same category as Taylor Walker’s racial slur, what would your response to that be?”

Koch responded: “I don’t think that’s realistic. I think the benchmark has been set in terms of...”

Caroline Wilson interjected: “With Alistair Clarkson which I thought was too light.”

Koch: “OK. But the benchmark has been set.”

The comments from the former Sunrise presenter turned club president went down like a lead balloon on social media.

Columnist Greg Jericho wrote: “This is pretty disgusting from Koch.”

Another user wrote: “@kochie_online as a leader of our football club this statement is beyond disappointing. A slur against a marginalised group is exactly the same the nature of it is irrelevant. You need to do better!”

A third added: “Terrible take from Koch. We are benchmarking abuse now. Not making excuses but … homophobia and racism have no place in the game.”

David Koch speaks on Finlayson slur

A fourth wrote: “Yeah nah @kochie_online. A slur is a slur is a slur. You say you don’t condone a player using a homophobic slur on the field and that there’s no excuse but in the same sentence practically excuse it by saying it occurred ‘in the heat of battle’ and a ‘niggle’. So disappointing.”

Finlayson provided a statement on Sunday and will be counselled by club leaders in the coming days.

“I take full responsibility for what happened Friday night,” Finlayson said in a statement.

“The word I used is very unacceptable in the game of football. We need to stamp it out and I’m very remorseful.

“I knew straight away that it was not acceptable and I take full responsibility.

“I addressed it at the time and … let everyone know what happened, and it’s now in the hands of the AFL to investigate.

“I’m continuing to reflect and improve myself, getting all the education I can to make myself better.”

Originally published as David Koch called out over remarks surrounding Jeremy Finlayson’s homophobic slur