Sydney Swans rookie Riak Andrew to miss five weeks at VFL and AFL levels following homophobic slur
The incident happened in a VFL match last weekend, where Andrew was found to have made a slur towards a North Melbourne opponent during the first quarter.
The incident was reported to an umpire by North Melbourne at the end of the quarter.
Andrew will also undertake Pride in Sport education, according to a media release from the league.
'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,' AFL General Counsel Stephen 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 incident involving Andrew comes barely a week after West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was handed a four-match ban for using a homophobic slur during a match against the GWS Giants.
Three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs during matches in 2024.
Gold Coast's Wil Powell (five matches) and Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson (three matches) were banned in the AFL.
St Kilda's Lance Collard received a six-match penalty following a slur made towards two Williamstown players in a VFL fixture.
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