Latest news with #NorthMelbourne
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
First-year Swan cops five-match ban for homophobic slur
Sydney defender Riak Andrew has been slapped with a five-match AFL suspension after being found guilty of using a homophobic slur while representing the Swans' reserves team. First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans' VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday. The AFL Integrity Unit investigated the matter after a North Melbourne player informed an umpire about it during the match. The investigation found that Andrew used a highly offensive homophobic slur towards a North Melbourne opponent. "In the course of the investigation, Andrew made full admissions and was remorseful and apologetic," the AFL said in a part of the five-match ban, Andrew will undertake Pride in Sport education. "I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday's game and any hurt that it has caused," Andrew said in a statement. "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." Andrew's slur came as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. The 20-year-old was taken with pick No.55 in last year's draft and is yet to make his AFL debut. Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side's loss to GWS. Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season. "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 in a statement on Wednesday night."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" Sydney defender Riak Andrew has been slapped with a five-match AFL suspension after being found guilty of using a homophobic slur while representing the Swans' reserves team. First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans' VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday. The AFL Integrity Unit investigated the matter after a North Melbourne player informed an umpire about it during the match. The investigation found that Andrew used a highly offensive homophobic slur towards a North Melbourne opponent. "In the course of the investigation, Andrew made full admissions and was remorseful and apologetic," the AFL said in a part of the five-match ban, Andrew will undertake Pride in Sport education. "I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday's game and any hurt that it has caused," Andrew said in a statement. "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." Andrew's slur came as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. The 20-year-old was taken with pick No.55 in last year's draft and is yet to make his AFL debut. Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side's loss to GWS. Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season. "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 in a statement on Wednesday night."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" Sydney defender Riak Andrew has been slapped with a five-match AFL suspension after being found guilty of using a homophobic slur while representing the Swans' reserves team. First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans' VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday. The AFL Integrity Unit investigated the matter after a North Melbourne player informed an umpire about it during the match. The investigation found that Andrew used a highly offensive homophobic slur towards a North Melbourne opponent. "In the course of the investigation, Andrew made full admissions and was remorseful and apologetic," the AFL said in a part of the five-match ban, Andrew will undertake Pride in Sport education. "I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday's game and any hurt that it has caused," Andrew said in a statement. "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." Andrew's slur came as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. The 20-year-old was taken with pick No.55 in last year's draft and is yet to make his AFL debut. Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side's loss to GWS. Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season. "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 in a statement on Wednesday night."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"
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
‘Demeans and denigrates': First-year Swan Riak Andrew receives huge stint on sidelines for homophobic slur
Young Sydney defender Riak Andrew has received a huge ban for using a homophobic slur during last Saturday's VFL fixture against North Melbourne. 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.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
First-year Swan learns his fate following AFL investigation into homophobic slur
Sydney defender Riak Andrew has been slapped with a five-match AFL suspension after being found guilty of using a homophobic slur while representing the Swans' reserves team. First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans' VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday. The AFL Integrity Unit investigated the matter after a North Melbourne player informed an umpire about it during the match. The investigation found that Andrew used a highly offensive homophobic slur towards a North Melbourne opponent. Riak Andrew has received a five-match sanction after using a highly offensive homophobic slur in the VFL against a North Melbourne opponent. 'In the course of the investigation, Andrew made full admissions and was remorseful and apologetic,' the AFL said in a statement. As part of the five-match ban, Andrew will undertake Pride in Sport education. 'I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday's game and any hurt that it has caused,' Andrew said in a statement. '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.' Andrew's slur came as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. The 20-year-old was taken with pick No.55 in last year's draft and is yet to make his AFL debut. Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side's loss to GWS. Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season. '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 in a statement on Wednesday night. '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'
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
First-year Swan cops five-match ban for homophobic slur
Sydney defender Riak Andrew has been slapped with a five-match AFL suspension after being found guilty of using a homophobic slur while representing the Swans' reserves team. First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans' VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday. The AFL Integrity Unit investigated the matter after a North Melbourne player informed an umpire about it during the match. The investigation found that Andrew used a highly offensive homophobic slur towards a North Melbourne opponent. "In the course of the investigation, Andrew made full admissions and was remorseful and apologetic," the AFL said in a part of the five-match ban, Andrew will undertake Pride in Sport education. "I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday's game and any hurt that it has caused," Andrew said in a statement. "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." Andrew's slur came as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. The 20-year-old was taken with pick No.55 in last year's draft and is yet to make his AFL debut. Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side's loss to GWS. Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season. "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 in a statement on Wednesday night."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"
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Sydney Swans rookie Riak Andrew to miss five weeks at VFL and AFL levels following homophobic slur
Sydney Swans listed player Riak Andrew will be suspended from VFL and AFL matches for five weeks, after being found guilty of using a "highly offensive 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.
