- Jeremy Finlayson says he is angry about suspension
- Wife Kellie took issue with the way the news was reported.
- Finlayson serves suspension for homophobic insult
Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson has revealed he is “pissed” at his three-week suspension for an on-field homophobic slur, while his wife Kellie also hit out at his treatment.
Finlayson was suspended for three weeks and ordered to attend and pay for a Pride In Sport training program after using the term ‘f****t’ to describe an Essendon player in the Power’s fourth round match .
While appearing on his wife Kellie’s show ‘Sh!t Talkers’ Podcast This week, the AFL star spoke briefly about how he feels about the sanction.
“I was upset that I got suspended for three weeks, that’s all, that pushed me over the edge,” he said.
‘We’ll leave it there and [at] that.’
Suspended Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson says he’s angry at suspension
Finlayson (pictured with wife Kellie) received a three-week suspension for a homophobic slur
Those comments are no longer on the podcast.
When the Adelaide Advertiser reported on the story, Kellie took to social media to criticize the publication, despite writing a column for the newspaper.
“The fact that this is the screenshot you have taken of such a powerful podcast episode highlighting the daily struggles one man has gone through as he shows up to perform for the incredible AFL community and play the game he loves is incredibly embarrassing.” ‘, he wrote in a post that has since been deleted.
‘You had the opportunity to highlight what an incredible man he is, the incredible and devastating years he has lived and you decided to hit him and tear him down after just a few weeks ago he reported on the effects the media has on the mental health of these children.’
Finlayson later addressed his comments in a statement issued by Port Adelaide.
“I made some comments yesterday on my wife Kellie’s Sh!t Talkers podcast that I need to address,” he said.
‘As I rethink my comments today, it is clear that I should have provided more context.
“On reflection, I should have explained that I was bitterly disappointed that I said what I did during the match and I am bitterly disappointed that I put myself and the club in the position I did. That’s what bothers me the most. .
Kellie Finlayson has hit out at the way her husband’s comments were reported by the same newspaper she writes a column for.
‘What I said on the field that night was totally unacceptable. I knew it then and I know it now. I insist, I have no problem with the sanction.
The podcast episode was primarily about Finlayson answering questions from listeners about his wife Kellie’s battle with cancer and juggling his role as a professional footballer with that of a husband and father.
Finlayson formally apologized for making the slur while awaiting the outcome of the AFL investigation.
“I take full responsibility for what occurred on Friday night,” Finlayson said in a statement issued by Port Adelaide.
‘The word I used is very unacceptable in football. “We need to end this and I am very sorry.”
“I knew immediately it was not acceptable and I take full responsibility,” Finlayson said.
Kellie, who is bravely fighting cancer, said her husband has had “an incredibly devastating few years.”
Finlayson apologized for his comment during the match and said he took full responsibility, before criticizing the length of his ban.
‘I addressed it at the time and… let everyone know what happened, and now it’s up to the AFL to investigate.
“I continue to reflect and improve myself, getting all the education I can to improve.”