The Australian Football League (AFL) has come under fire, recently. This follows a slew of player suspensions related to homophobic slurs spoken during the last two regular seasons. Some examples are Jeremy Finlayson’s three-game penalty, Wil Powell’s five-match suspension and Lance Collard’s six-game ban. These actions highlight an urgent need for the AFL to address the issue and foster a safe environment for all players and fans.
The league has officially documented four reported homophobic slur incidents at the AFL level. In all, there have been six incidents involving players currently on AFL rosters. The recent record in suspensions indicates progress, a greater acknowledgment that there is a need to remove this kind of behavior from the game entirely. Jack Graham was handed a four-game suspension after he accepted responsibility for using a homophobic slur. Riak Andrew received a five-game suspension for making a single “highly offensive” comment.
A Call for Zero Tolerance
AFLW veteran Sabrina Frederick has been clear that we need to continue to have a zero-tolerance approach for homophobic behavior in football. She calls for us to build an inclusive, participatory environment where everyone is able to engage without harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Frederick’s approach speaks to all the players who echo her desire to bring more inclusivity into the game. She continued by underscoring, “Safety in football is a big deal. This underscores the importance of providing a truly collaborative environment where all participants feel respected and valued.
Brayden Maynard of Collingwood bolstered these sentiments. He underscored the team’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all. He said, “So in terms of no tolerance, we’re really big at that with Collingwood, just making sure it’s a really safe environment for people to do their thing and people to experience it in a really positive light.”
AFL’s Response and Future Direction
The AFL have been taken outrage with these episodes. More importantly, they’re still zealously preventing the use of homophobic slurs, as well as other abusive language. We imagine a league where players, fans, and supporters, respect each other and walk in each other’s shoes.
Though the recent suspensions have shocked some observers, they demonstrate the AFL’s commitment to tackling this important area. The league’s leaders are responding to the urgency of the moment after four fatal incidents in only two seasons. They are serious about stamping this behavior out of the game. The goal is more than just penalizing violators — it’s about teaching athletes the value of communicating respectfully.
These problems are just now beginning to emerge — highlighting the storm that is quickly approaching. The AFL is serious about working to create an inclusive environment in the game. Through the adoption of more stringent policies and an increased focus on education, the league wants to be a model to other leagues in professional sports.
