‘Demeans and denigrates': First-year Swan Riak Andrew receives huge stint on sidelines for homophobic slur
Andrew, 20, has received a five-week ban for the 'highly offensive' homophobic slur he used against a Kangaroos player.
His ban takes in the remainder of the AFL season as well as any VFL games during the period.
Andrew has taken full responsibility and apologised in a statement on behalf of the Swans.
"I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday's game and any hurt that it has caused," Andrew said.
"While I did not understand the full impact of the words I used at the time, I certainly do now, and have deep regret for my actions.
"This has impacted not only our club but the broader community, and for that I am truly sorry. I am committed to using this as an opportunity to learn and get better."
The 20-year-old will likely miss the remainder of the 2025 season, with the Swans out of reach of the finals in the VFL and the senior team highly likely to miss the top eight in the AFL.
An investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit determined Andrew used a 'highly offensive homophobic slur towards a North Melbourne opponent, which demeans and denigrates persons regardless of their sexuality'.
He was found guilty of breaching the AFL rule of Conduct Unbecoming.
A North Melbourne player initially reported the incident to an umpire at the end of the first quarter of the VFL match at Tramway Oval.
Andrew will undertake Pride in Sport education training as he serves his ban.
The key defender was the 55th pick for the Swans in the 2024 AFL Draft after playing for Dandenong Stingrays in Melbourne.
Andrew signed a contract extension with Sydney in May, seeing him at the club until the end of 2026.
He is the brother of Gold Coast key defender Mac Andrew.
AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said it's disappointing to be dealing with another homophobic slur incident.
"It is important that we continue to make clear that homophobia or homophobic language has no place in our game at any level or in the wider community for that matter,' Mr Meade said.
"It is disappointing to be dealing with another incident and while we will always examine the individual circumstances, the clear message is that this language is not acceptable in any workplace and that includes on the field of play."
The ban comes after West Coast Eagles midfielder Jack Graham was hit with a four-game ban for using a homophobic slur against a Giants player in Round 17 of the AFL.
Graham was the fourth player in 16 months to be suspended for the use of a homophobic slur.
Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson, Gold Coast's Wil Powell and St Kilda's Lance Collard each received suspensions between four and six weeks.
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