By Peter Ryan, Jake Niall and Carla Jaeger
The players’ union has accused the AFL of having double standards after Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three matches for using homophobic language on the field.
AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh said the penalty was appropriate for Finlayson, who is the first player to be suspended for using homophobic language, but urged the AFL to apply the same sanction to anyone in the game who transgressed.
Finlayson was banned for directing a homophobic slur at an Essendon player during the third quarter of Friday night’s clash in Adelaide. The 28-year-old had used the word “f-----” when abusing his opponent, with the slur picked up on the umpire’s microphone during the match.
His penalty stands in contrast to that received by North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, who was penalised for allegedly using the word “c---sucker” during a verbal tirade towards St Kilda player Jimmy Webster earlier this year after the Saint’s bump on one of Clarkson’s players.
Clarkson received a $20,000 fine and suspended sentence of two matches and education for the allegedly homophobic spray.
On Wednesday, the AFL described Finlayson’s language as “totally unacceptable” and said Finlayson was also required to pay for and attend “appropriate Pride in Sport training as approved by the AFL”.
Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson has been suspended for three matches for a homophobic slurCredit: Getty Images
He will not be eligible to play for Port Adelaide during rounds five, six and seven, including in the SANFL.
Marsh said the AFLPA was concerned about the discrepancy between sanctions for players and officials.
“We have fundamental concerns about this and historical AFL outcomes that result in discrepancies when sanctioning players in comparison to officials,” Marsh said.
“We believe the AFL is consistently inconsistent and there are double standards in its approach to dealing with players compared to others on behavioural matters.
“This issue highlights the lack of clarity on how the AFL handles these situations and we want this to be the catalyst for an urgent review of the sanctioning framework.
“If this type of conduct is a three-week sanction for a player, it should be for everyone involved in the game and this should be clear to everyone in the industry upfront rather than the open-ended approach that is currently in place.”
Finlayson had told Port football manager Chris Davies what he had said at the three-quarter-time break on Friday night and was contrite, immediately admitting to the AFL he had said what was being alleged. That apology helped him receive a shorter ban.
He met with the AFL integrity unit on Tuesday, with Port Adelaide willing to accept whatever penalty was deemed appropriate for a slur universally understood to be offensive to the gay community.
The AFL said Finlayson’s immediate apology and contrition, privately and publicly, had been considered and that “without the full and frank admissions, apologies and contrition that Finlayson showed, the sanction would have included a longer suspension”.
“Everyone, including Jeremy understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.
“The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society. We want all people in LGBTQI+ communities to feel safe playing or attending our games and we know the incident that happened on the weekend does not assist this goal. As a code we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.”
In the unlikely event he had not been handed a suspension, Port Adelaide were also contemplating not playing Finlayson against Fremantle this week as they felt he may not be in the right emotional state to play.
According to two sources familiar with the issue, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, Finlayson has said he was shocked he had used the offensive word and understood the gravity of the situation.
Port Adelaide accepted the sanction in a statement, and Finlayson reaffirmed his remorse over the comment.
“The word I used has no place in our society or our game,” he said.
“Words can be very hurtful and what I said on Friday night was totally unacceptable.
“I unreservedly apologise again to the Essendon player, my teammates, Port Adelaide members and supporters and the LGBTQIA+ community for the distress I have caused.
“I accept the AFL’s sanction and now look forward to reflecting on my behaviour and seeking education to improve myself and understand the impact such comments can have on the broader community.”
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch reiterated Finlayson’s apology.
“On behalf of the Port Adelaide Football Club, I extend an apology to the Essendon player, the Port Adelaide community of members and supporters and the LGBTQIA+ community,” he said.
“What was said is totally unacceptable and comments of this nature do not align with what our club stands for. Port Adelaide is a place for everyone, so we are very disappointed with what occurred on Friday night.
“Importantly, Jeremy self-reported and apologised to the player on the night and has publicly expressed his remorse. We will now provide education for Jeremy and offer him and his family support during this time.
“We do not underestimate the seriousness of this matter and look forward to the AFL applying consistency to such cases in the future.”
The NRL suspended Warriors wingman Marcelo Montoya for four matches for using homophobic language in 2022. Cricket Australia fined Australian batsman Marcus Stoinis $7500 in 2020 when he used a homophobic slur to denigrate opponent Kane Richardson in a Big Bash game.
Finlayson’s remark outraged community leaders, who said it was a poor reflection on the AFL environment.
Pride Cup chief executive Hayley Conway said the slur pointed to a larger concern that the AFL had not done enough to change its culture.
“You do have a player who has said something that is completely unacceptable in any workplace. They recognised that, they apologised for it. But ultimately, that player is operating in a context and an institution where those things have been tolerated for a long time,” Conway said.
“There has to be a question of not just what did that player say, but what has AFL House been doing? What has every club been doing to create environments where this kind of language would be used ever?”
Conway, also a board member of Equality Australia, added the question now was one of how sporting organisations were putting resources into actions.
“If the AFL were doing that well, they wouldn’t have the issues they have with not just homophobic language, but racism and sexism as well.”
The AFL Players Association also condemned Finlayson’s slur, expressing disappointment via a statement on Tuesday from CEO Paul Marsh.
“There is no excuse and no place for this language in our game and society,” Marsh said.
“I have personally spoken to Jeremy today who has reiterated his remorse and apology for his actions. He understands there is a broader impact from his choice of words and the hurt it inflicts, and he is committed to educating himself and having a positive impact on the community moving forward. We have also spoken to Essendon players.
“We all have a responsibility to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace and society, and we are committed to our role in achieving this.”
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