Afl Bans West Coast Player Jack Graham For Four Matches Over Homophobic Slur

West Coast subordinate Jack Graham has been suspended for 4 matches and will undertake an acquisition programme aft utilizing a “highly offensive” homophobic slur during an AFL lucifer against GWS Giants.

The 27-year-old utilized nan violative word towards a Giants force during their information 17 conflict and later self-reported nan incident to nan Eagles.

The nine passed nan study to nan AFL connected Friday greeting pinch nan AFL Integrity Unit undertaking an contiguous investigation and moving quickly to punishment Graham who has been withdrawn from nan West Coast broadside to look Port Adelaide connected Sunday.

“Graham utilized a highly violative homophobic slur against a GWS Giants opponent, which demeans and denigrates persons sloppy of their sexuality,” nan AFL said successful a statement.

The erstwhile Richmond subordinate will not beryllium eligible to play for West Coast aliases astatine immoderate level of shot for nan adjacent 4 weeks and will besides undertake Pride successful Sport education.

All AFL and AFLW Players and officials person yearly acquisition regarding vilification and nan effect of specified behaviour.

“Everyone understands nan connection he utilized is some hurtful and wholly unacceptable successful immoderate setting, ever,” Tony Keane, AFL caput of integrity and security, said.

“The AFL is very clear that homophobia has nary spot successful our game, nor successful nan community. We person travel a agelong measurement arsenic a code, but this incident demonstrates location is truthful overmuch much to beryllium done, and we will proceed to activity together to amended our crippled arsenic a safe and inclusive situation for all.

The AFL took into relationship Graham’s self-reporting of nan incident, on pinch his backstage apology to nan unnamed Giants subordinate and contrition erstwhile considering its sanctions.

Graham besides rang AFL main executive, Andrew Dillion, straight to apologise.

“I americium very remorseful for nan connection I utilized and cognize specified connection has nary spot successful our organization aliases our game,” Graham said. “I person offered my unreserved apology to nan Giants subordinate and Greater Western Sydney and would besides for illustration to publically apologise for my comment.

“What I said does not bespeak my values aliases our nine values. I made a correction and request to beryllium amended and will beryllium that done my actions going forward.”

Graham is playing his first play pinch nan Eagles aft lining up successful 131 matches and winning 2 premierships pinch nan Tigers.

West Coast said that Graham had admitted to utilizing a homophobic slur and accepted nan sanctions handed down by nan AFL.

“The connection Jack utilized is wholly unacceptable and does not align pinch societal and nine values,” West Coast main executive, Don Pyke, said.

“Jack understands nan harmful effects comments for illustration these tin person connected others and he has been honorable successful addressing this matter.”