A sports journalist is facing a severe ban for directing online abuse at Adelaide star Izak Rankine following an ugly incident in the Crows’ loss to the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.
Rankine is likely to be sidelined for a month while the MRO reviews his controversial hit, which caused Brandon Starcevich to suffer a concussion.
Aspiring sports journalist Jakob Matheson attacked Rankine with offensive comments, making two derogatory posts during the match.
In his first post, Matheson wrote: “Izak Rankine belongs in the zoo again.”
He added: “Thank you, dammit. Finally, the bloody Pope can not only go back to the zoo, but also enjoy his extended 12-week vacation in Bali.”
Both Matheson’s posts and accounts have since been deleted.
Matheson expressed regret, saying he was “intoxicated and angry” when he posted the comments and is now “extremely remorseful” for his behavior.
On LinkedIn, Matheson, who writes match reports for a South Australian magazine, describes himself as an aspiring sports and radio podcaster. He has also covered the Adelaide Footy League and the SANFL.
Rankine was targeted with racial slurs on social media after clashing with Brandon Starcevich
Starcevich suffered a concussion in the incident and Rankine now faces a four-week suspension.
Matheson said he was “deeply sorry for (his) actions” and has since deleted his social media accounts.
“I was a bit intoxicated and frustrated because he knocked out a Brisbane Lions player and I obviously wasn’t thinking when I tweeted it,” he told Adelaide Advertiser.
‘I know there’s nothing I can do, I obviously wasn’t thinking when I tweeted it.
‘I will make sure nothing like this happens again.
“I feel deeply sorry and solemnly apologize. I will do my best to educate myself better in the future.”
Matheson revealed that the Brisbane Lions contacted him on Sunday night to inform him that his membership had been revoked.
Pictured: The aspiring sportswriter’s first post about Rankine on Sunday.
Jakob Matheson said he was angry and under the influence of alcohol when he made the second post about the Adelaide Crows star.
In a statement, the Brisbane Lions condemned Matheson’s comments.
“We condemn the comments made on social media towards an Adelaide Crows player during last night’s match,” the club said.
‘They do not reflect the values of our club or our players.
‘The comments have been reported to AFL Integrity for further investigation.
‘The individual’s membership has been immediately cancelled.’
The Adelaide Crows have also issued a statement supporting the ban of the fan who made the racial slur against Izak Rankine.
“The Club is providing support to Rankine following racial abuse by a member of the Brisbane Lions on social media on Sunday,” the statement read.
“It is even more disappointing given that it is NAIDOC Week and a time when we should be celebrating indigenous culture rather than dealing with vilification.”
Starcevich struggles to his feet after Rankine’s hit, which could cost both players time on the court.
Rankine’s impending suspension seems straightforward, given that the contact he had with Starcevich was far from the ball. Under MRO guidelines, hits during play are considered careless because the player did not intend to commit a reportable violation.
However, off-ball incidents can be considered intentional, meaning Rankine could be charged with an intentional hit and severe impact, resulting in a potential penalty of more than four weeks.
If AFL match review officer Michael Christian assesses the impact accordingly, Rankine would have to appear directly before the tribunal. This could see him miss games against St Kilda, Essendon, Hawthorn and Geelong, which would be a significant loss for Adelaide given Rankine’s status as its most formidable match-winner.