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Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Dani Laidley reveals shocking detail about the AFL's fight to stamp out homophobic abuse as she slams the league for dropping the ball
Dani Laidley has blasted the AFL, claiming the league has 'dropped the ball' on how it educates players around homophobic discrimination, after it was revealed that yet another player is being investigated for a homophobic slur. It came as 20-year-old Sydney Swans player, Riak Andrew, is facing a sanction for an alleged spray during the Swans' 11-point VFL victory against North Melbourne on Saturday. Andrew, who admitted his remorse over the incident, is the fifth player or coach in the past two years who has been called infront of the AFL's Integrity Unit over a homophobic comment. 'This just keeps happening and I don't think enough time has been put into it. The AFL are dropping the ball,' Laidley, a rainbow advocate, said to The Herald Sun. 'I know time is scarce at AFL clubs but where does the priority lie? Are we going to keep getting one of these instances once a fortnight? 'Gill organised for me to do a presentation to his executive and also one to Tanya's team and we talked about doing some work at club level around this topic and since Gill left there has been no follow-up.' It came after it was revealed that Sydney Swans youngster Riak Andrew is being investigated for a homophobic comment he made during a VFL match Right now there are no known current gay or bisexual players competing in the AFL. Laidley believed that the league's approach to education around the subject may be pushing gay and transgender players further away. The former Kangaroos coach had provided advice to Gillon McLachlan, proposing individual talks with footy clubs on diversity and inclusion. However, that, according to The Herald Sun, has been shelved. Instead players now complete mandatory online seminars about homophobia. 'And then I saw a press conference where Tanya Hosch was saying we have done an online training module and I just thought: 'Really? You can't be serious about it if you are doing online training modules',' Laidley added, seething over how the AFL are handling the issue. 'It should be about education, storytelling and life experiences. 'We have had AFL coaches (with anti-gay slurs) and we have had it at AFL level, and in the VFL and WAFL and in Queensland. The population of the rainbow community within the AFL ranks could be 50 or 60 or 70 men. And it affects them in different ways.' The AFLPA has also hit out at the league in recent years for its approach to clamping down on homophobia. AFLPA chief Paul Marsh criticised the AFL for a double standard, following Jeremy Finlayson's homophobic remarks. The Power forward was slapped with a three-match suspension in 2024 for an alleged homophobic remark that was directed to an Essendon player. Alaistair Clarkson also copped a fine for calling a player a 'c*** sucker', while Will Powell and Lance Collard were both also handed suspensions. 'We believe the AFL is consistently inconsistent and there are double standards in its approach to dealing with players compared to others on behavioural matters,' AFLPA boss, Marsh, explained. 'This issue highlights the lack of clarity on how the AFL handles these situations and we want this to be the catalyst for an urgent review of the sanctioning framework.' Laidley reflected on her own experiences. She recalled how she would feel uncomfortable when she overheard homophobic comments being made as a player. The 58-year-old made 221 appearances in footy's top flight, playing for West Perth, West Coast and North Melbourne, notably winning a premiership with the Roos in 1996. Laidley was appallingly outed in 2020, by a police officer, before she had the chance to share her transition with family and friends. 'I can go back to when I was involved at AFL and I would hear conversations about who is the gay footballer? I would run for the hills,' Laidley added. 'My anxiety would skyrocket. I would withdraw into my workplace. My mental health would spiral uncontrollably. 'Any time things like this hit the media I can guarantee you any person in the rainbow community who is playing or coaching at AFL level will have their mental health (concerns) elevated. 'People say they are only words but those words turn into how a person feels about themselves. I am through it and I am proud of who I am but it is the younger people within the AFL and also the younger supporters of the AFL. They will be thinking I am going to stop playing footy or cricket or any sport because this is what some of my teammates may think of me.' According to a statement published on the Swan's website, Riak Andrew has admitted that he 'understands the language he used is unacceptable.' The incident is said to have taken place during the Swans' 11-point win in the VFL against North Melbourne on Friday. Andrew, 20, who is also the brother of Gold Coast star Mac, explained he was remorseful over the matter, with the AFL's integrity unit now having launched an investigation. 'This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously,' Swns CEO Tom Harley said in a statement. 'While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words.' Andrew is now facing the prospect of a punishment, which will likely include a suspension. It comes as he has spent most of the season on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury. The Swans are meanwhile preparing for their annual Pride Game at the SCG on August 2 against Essendon.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL youngster is set to receive a hefty ban for shocking homophobic slur
A Sydney Swans star is currently being investigated by the AFL, after he was alleged to have made a homophobic comment during a reserves match on Saturday. According to a statement published on the Swan's website, Riak Andrew has admitted that he 'understands the language he used is unacceptable.' The incident is said to have taken place during the Swans' 11-point win in the VFL against North Melbourne on Friday. Andrew, 20, who is also the brother of Gold Coast star Mac, explained he was remorseful over the matter, with the AFL's integrity unit now having launched an investigation. 'This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously,' Swns CEO Tom Harley said in a statement. 'While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words.' Andrew is now facing the prospect of a punishment, which will likely include a suspension. It comes as he has spent most of the season on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury. The 193cm key defender had joined the club back in 2024 as the 55th pick in the AFL National Draft. The Swans are meanwhile preparing for their annual Pride Game at the SCG on August 2 against Essendon. 'In a fortnight, we will be playing in the Pride Game, a match that is incredibly important to our club,' Harley added. 'We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.' The AFL has previously shown that it will take a heavy-handed approach to the use of homophobic slurs during games, with West Coast star Jack Graham being slapped with a four-match suspension. Graham reported to the AFL's Integrity Unit that he had used a homophobic phrase during a game against the GWS Giants earlier in July. 'Everyone understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever,' Tony Keane, the head of the AFL's Integrity Unit, 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.' Graham has apologised for the incident since. 'I am very remorseful for the word I used and know such language has no place in our community or our game,' he 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.'
ABC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Sydney youngster Riak Andrew 'remorseful' after being cited over homophobic slur during VFL clash
Sydney youngster Riak Andrew has been cited for using a homophobic slur while playing for the club's VFL side. The Swans said the 20-year-old is "remorseful and takes full responsibility" for the slur that came during the Swans' clash against North Melbourne on Saturday. It is unclear what the AFL's sanction will be for Andrew, with the matter currently being investigated by the AFL Integrity Unit. "This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously," Swans CEO Tom Harley said in a statement on Monday evening. "While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words. "In a fortnight we will be playing in the Pride Game, a match that is incredibly important to our club. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment." 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.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
AFL launches investigation into homophobic slur from Swans defender Riak Andrew
Sydney defender Riak Andrew is facing a lengthy suspension after being cited for using a homophobic slur while representing the AFL club's 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 is investigating the matter. In a statement, Sydney said a remorseful Andrew understands the language he used is unacceptable and takes full responsibility for his actions. Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the club are extremely disappointed in the 20-year-old's actions. 'This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously,' Harley said. 'While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words.' Andrew's slur comes as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. 'In a fortnight we will be playing in the Pride Game, a match that is incredibly important to our club,' Harley said. 'We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.' Andrew 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. Gold Coast defender Wil Powell (five matches) and Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson (three) served bans over incidents in AFL matches. St Kilda's Lance Collard served a six-match penalty for 'unprompted and highly offensive' slurs towards two Williamstown players in a VFL game.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Swans defender faces AFL ban over homophobic slur
Sydney defender Riak Andrew is facing a lengthy suspension after being cited for using a homophobic slur while representing the AFL club's 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 is investigating the matter. In a statement, Sydney said a remorseful Andrew understands the language he used is unacceptable and takes full responsibility for his actions. Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the club are extremely disappointed in the 20-year-old's actions. "This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously," Harley said. "While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words." Andrew's slur comes as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2. "In a fortnight we will be playing in the Pride Game, a match that is incredibly important to our club," Harley said. "We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment." Andrew 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. Gold Coast defender Wil Powell (five matches) and Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson (three) served bans over incidents in AFL matches. St Kilda's Lance Collard served a six-match penalty for "unprompted and highly offensive" slurs towards two Williamstown players in a VFL game.
