- Port Adelaide star admitted insult before end of game
- Faced calls for extended ban over shocking outburst
- The head of power, David Koch, said that no ban should be applied
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Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has been handed a three-game suspension after admitting making a homophobic slur towards an unnamed Essendon player.
The AFL deemed Finlayson used a “spontaneous and highly offensive” comment during the third quarter of the Power’s 69-point win against the Bombers on Friday night.
As well as missing three matches, Finlayson will have to attend a Pride In Sport training program which he will have to pay for himself.
In determining the penalty, the AFL took into account that the 28-year-old apologized and acknowledged his mistake the following day.
Finlayson (pictured) has been suspended for three matches for his disgraceful act against an Essendon star during the Gather Round last Friday night.
The Port veteran (pictured with wife Kellie) could well have received a longer ban had he not apologized for his outburst shortly after the match.
“Everyone, including Jeremy, understands that the word he used is hurtful and totally unacceptable in any environment,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.
‘The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game or society.
‘We want all people from LGBTQI+ communities to feel safe playing or attending our games and we know that the incident that occurred over the weekend does not contribute to this goal.
‘As a code, we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.
‘The AFL will continue to consider the specific circumstances of each incident to determine appropriate responses.
“Jeremy’s penalty would have been greater if he had not immediately understood and owned his mistake, both privately and publicly.”
The 28-year-old will also have to attend a Pride In Sport training program which he must pay for himself as part of his punishment.
Port Adelaide said they would accept Finlayson’s sanction.
Last month, North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson was fined $20,000 and suspended two games for allegedly using a homophobic slur against St Kilda defenders Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard during a pre-season match.
Power president David Koch was criticized and accused of advocating homophobia when he said Clarkson’s penalty was the benchmark for the league and that Finlayson should not miss any playing time.
In 2022, the NRL suspended Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya for four games after directing a homophobic slur at North Queensland star Kyle Feldt.
The NRL wanted a six-week suspension but took into consideration Montoya’s previous good record, the remorse he had shown and his guilty plea.