West Coast footballer banned for ‘highly offensive' slur
The AFL on Sunday handed down a four-match suspension.
According to the football club, Graham informed team official he had said the offensive comment during the Giants' 59-point loss at Optus Stadium on Friday, July 5.
The AFL said in a statement the club then notified the league about the incident on Monday.
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The 27-year-old is in breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a), Conduct Unbecoming, with Graham self-reporting to the Eagles before the league were made aware on Friday morning.
It has been reported it occurred during the second quarter of the match.
According to the AFL, Graham used a highly offensive homophobic slur against a GWS Giants opponent, which 'demeans and denigrates persons regardless of their sexuality'.
Graham has apologised privately to the unnamed Giants player his slur was directed towards.
The AFL said Graham had also made an apology to chief executive Andrew Dillon.
The two-time Richmond premiership player — who is now a part of West Coast's leadership group — will undertake Pride in Sport education as a result of his actions.
'I am very remorseful for the word I used and know such language has no place in our community or our game,' Graham said via a West Coast club statement.
'I have offered my unreserved apology to the Giants player and Greater Western Sydney and would also like to publicly apologise for my comment.
'What I said does not reflect my values or our Club values. I made a mistake and need to be better and will prove that through my actions going forward.'
Eagles chief executive Don Pyke added: 'The word Jack used is completely unacceptable and does not align with societal and Club values.
'Player welfare was front of mind throughout the process and we were in regular contact with the Giants following the match and earlier this week around this situation.
'With no match day report being lodged, both clubs agreed the appropriate course of action was to refer the matter to the AFL.
'Jack personally called AFL CEO Andrew Dillon to apologise and has taken full responsibility and accepted the sanction that has been handed down.
Given his four-game ban, Graham has been withdrawn from Sunday evening's clash against Port Adelaide. After initially being omitted, young ruck Jack Williams replaces him and holds his place in the side.
Graham is the fourth AFL player in 16 months to be suspended for the use of a homophobic slur, with Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson, Gold Coast's Wil Powell and St Kilda's Lance Collard each receiving suspensions between four and six weeks.
'Everyone understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever.' AFL Head of Integrity and Security Tony Keane said in the AFL's own statement.
'The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in the community. We have come a long way as a code, but this incident demonstrates there is so much more to be done, and 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 in each incident in determining appropriate responses. Graham's sanction would have been higher if he hadn't self-reported and understood his comment was totally inappropriate.'
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