Latest news with #TonyKeane
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
AFL bans West Coast player Jack Graham for four matches over homophobic slur
West Coast player Jack Graham has been suspended for four matches and will undertake an education program after using a 'highly offensive' homophobic slur during an AFL match against GWS Giants. The 27-year-old used the offensive term towards a Giants opponent during their round 17 clash and later self-reported the incident to the Eagles. The club passed the report to the AFL on Friday morning with the AFL Integrity Unit undertaking an immediate investigation and moving quickly to sanction Graham who has been withdrawn from the West Coast side to face Port Adelaide on Sunday. 'Graham used a highly offensive homophobic slur against a GWS Giants opponent, which demeans and denigrates persons regardless of their sexuality,' the AFL said in a statement. The former Richmond player will not be eligible to play for West Coast or at any level of football for the next four weeks and will also undertake Pride in Sport education. All AFL and AFLW Players and officials receive yearly education regarding vilification and the impact of such behaviour. 'Everyone understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever,' Tony Keane, AFL head of integrity and security, said. '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 took into account Graham's self-reporting of the incident, along with his private apology to the unnamed Giants player and contrition when considering its sanctions. Graham also rang AFL chief executive, Andrew Dillion, directly to apologise. 'I am very remorseful for the word I used and know such language has no place in our community or our game,' Graham said. '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.' Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion Graham is playing his first season with the Eagles after lining up in 131 matches and winning two premierships with the Tigers. West Coast said that Graham had admitted to using a homophobic slur and accepted the sanctions handed down by the AFL. 'The word Jack used is completely unacceptable and does not align with societal and club values,' West Coast chief executive, Don Pyke, said. 'Jack understands the harmful effects comments like these can have on others and he has been honest in addressing this matter.'
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Five-year ban for Collingwood member responsible for vile threat against Carlton coach Michael Voss
Officials at the AFL and MCG have given the 'forthright response' Michael Voss hoped for and banned a Collingwood member for five years for the 'highly inappropriate and threatening text message' aimed at the embattled Carlton coach. While the vile message, left on the MCG anti-social behaviour hotline during last Friday's night clash against the Magpies was not treated as a credible threat, it was enough for the MCG security team to pass it on. Voss said he 'dismissed it' at first but then decided it was something that couldn't be tolerated and he hoped for an expected 'forthright response'. After an AFL investigation, that response was confirmed on Thursday afternoon in a statement from the AFL and then Collingwood, which has issued a similar ban after it was revealed a Magpies member was the perpetrator. Head of AFL integrity and security Tony Keane said no coach, player, official, staff member or fan should feel unsafe at a game. 'The anti-social hotline at venues is designed to ensure everyone attending the match can do so in a safe and inclusive manner, and the majority of times this service is used appropriately,' he said.  'We understand there is passion in the game; however, the text message in question sent to the MCG hotline on Friday crossed the line. 'Regardless of the intent, no coach, player, official, staff member or fan deserves to be threatened in such a way, and now that patron has lost the privilege of attending the footy.' Collingwood also condemned the actions of its club member. 'The club is very disappointed by the member's actions which have resulted in a five-year ban from both the MCG and AFL – Collingwood will follow suit,' a statement said. 'Collingwood will not tolerate any threats to officials, supporters or individuals involved in our great game – such conduct is unacceptable and not representative of the club or its values.' We support the sanction issued to a Club Member following their misuse of the MCG’s anti-social behaviour hotline during the Round 17 match against Carlton. More: — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 10, 2025 Voss delivered a passionate response on Wednesday morning when asked about the threat, declaring the 'passion' of fans shouldn't be about anger. He said he still saw that hope in some supporters – the ones he coached for – but had no time for the 'the dark side of football'. 'It (that first football) sort of really inspired me to ultimately follow my dreams … then I have also seen the dark side of football as well, where we blame, we become victims,' he said. 'This environment where it's quite toxic and we think by showing passion is about anger, it's not about that at all. When you see both, it's what you choose for me. 'When I turn up … I look at that four-year-old and think about what families are and communities and how we bring people together and what we want our environment to be. ' 'There's a way we need to behave, there's a way we need to go about it, and when things are tough, you've got to show that support the right way, not the wrong way. 'If that's a measure for some people on what it should look like, then I am sorry you don't belong here.'
