Latest news with #homophobic
Daily Mail
an hour 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
a day 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.'
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa officer suspended as army investigates 'Blue Hackle Mafia' group
The Canadian Army has temporarily suspended Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy following the discovery of a Facebook group with 'abhorrent' content. CAF has been investigating the group, which is said to promote 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images.'
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Joy Reid confronted by Piers Morgan over blog scandal in explosive interview
Former MSNBC host Joy Reid was blindsided by Piers Morgan's questions about whether she wrote the series of homophobic posts that were unearthed from her old blog in 2018, in a contentious interview published Thursday. "Now you're not at MSNBC," Morgan asked. "Now you're on your own doing your own thing, and you don't have to worry about repercussions and stuff. Are you prepared to finally come clean and just admit that was your blog and you did say those things?" "You know, Piers, I might have known that you would use this opportunity and interview and that this was your purpose, right?" Reid began. "This is your purpose and that's fine. This is your show, and you can do whatever you like. You know, I could sit here and go on and on and fight with you about your strange, weird obsession with Megan Markle, but I won't do that because that would be rude." "Happy to, if you want to!" Morgan interjected. "We can do that as well," Reid remarked. Reid insisted that someone she didn't know had access to her site for years but that she was "willing to take responsibility for anything that was on that site." "Did you say those things?" Morgan interrupted. "Not to my—" Reid began. "Come on ,Joy, you said them. You know you did," Morgan said as the two began talking over each other. "The reason that you are trying to go here is that you are trying to defend the idea that Moms for Liberty and these other organizations can take books that are not pornography—" Reid said. "No, no, I'm just trying to see whether you like to hold people to account," Morgan said. "And I held myself to account—" Reid argued. "I'm just trying to ask you questions about you being held to account," Morgan finished. Reid continued to apologize for everything on the blog, without clarifying if she wrote the comments, and returned to criticizing the Moms for Liberty political group for targeting controversial LGBTQ-themed books in schools. Morgan disagreed with Reid's comments on Moms for Liberty and returned again to the topic of Reid's controversial blog posts. He pointed out that despite her support for the LGBTQ community, her blog posts had a very different message. "I'm talking about you posting on your blog that you wouldn't watch 'Brokeback Mountain' because you don't want to see two male characters having sex," Morgan said. "'Does that make me homophobic? Probably. Most straight people cringe at the sight of two men kissing.' Your words, not mine, Joy." "And your point is?" Reid said. "That maybe that makes you a bit of a hypocrite when you're taking the position of being an ally for the LGBTQ community," Morgan said. "And actually the best way to handle it, I would argue, is just to say, 'You know what? Actually, I did write that at the time. They're not my views now. I've learned. I've evolved. I've moved on.' Trying to pretend even now that you didn't write it is preposterous. And I think you know that." Reid reiterated that she takes full responsibility for everything on the site and felt "deeply apologetic" for the things that hurt people. She added that her views are clearly different from what was written in the past blog posts. After claiming in 2018, when her blog's old posts resurfaced, that the site had been hacked, Reid eventually admitted that could not be substantiated, and said, "The person I am now is not the person I was then." Reid apologized but, while taking responsibility for the content, she repeatedly suggested she was not the actual author of some of the offending posts. At the time, Reid was not formally reprimanded by MSNBC. The progressive network rallied behind her, saying the posts are "not reflective of the colleague and friend we have known at MSNBC for the past seven years. Joy has apologized publicly and privately and said she has grown and evolved in the many years since, and we know this to be true." Reid was fired by MSNBC earlier this year.
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
West Coast footballer banned for ‘highly offensive' slur
West Coast midfielder Jack Graham has admitted to using a 'highly offensive' homophobic slur during his team's loss to the Giants. The AFL on Sunday handed down a four-match suspension. According to the football club, Graham informed team official he had said the offensive comment during the Giants' 59-point loss at Optus Stadium on Friday, July 5. The AFL said in a statement the club then notified the league about the incident on Monday. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The 27-year-old is in breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a), Conduct Unbecoming, with Graham self-reporting to the Eagles before the league were made aware on Friday morning. It has been reported it occurred during the second quarter of the match. According to the AFL, Graham used a highly offensive homophobic slur against a GWS Giants opponent, which 'demeans and denigrates persons regardless of their sexuality'. Graham has apologised privately to the unnamed Giants player his slur was directed towards. The AFL said Graham had also made an apology to chief executive Andrew Dillon. The two-time Richmond premiership player — who is now a part of West Coast's leadership group — will undertake Pride in Sport education as a result of his actions. 'I am very remorseful for the word I used and know such language has no place in our community or our game,' Graham said via a West Coast club statement. '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.' Eagles chief executive Don Pyke added: 'The word Jack used is completely unacceptable and does not align with societal and Club values. 'Player welfare was front of mind throughout the process and we were in regular contact with the Giants following the match and earlier this week around this situation. 'With no match day report being lodged, both clubs agreed the appropriate course of action was to refer the matter to the AFL. 'Jack personally called AFL CEO Andrew Dillon to apologise and has taken full responsibility and accepted the sanction that has been handed down. Given his four-game ban, Graham has been withdrawn from Sunday evening's clash against Port Adelaide. After initially being omitted, young ruck Jack Williams replaces him and holds his place in the side. Graham is the fourth AFL player in 16 months to be suspended for the use of a homophobic slur, with Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson, Gold Coast's Wil Powell and St Kilda's Lance Collard each receiving suspensions between four and six weeks. 'Everyone understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever.' AFL Head of Integrity and Security Tony Keane said in the AFL's own statement. '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 will continue to consider the specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses. Graham's sanction would have been higher if he hadn't self-reported and understood his comment was totally inappropriate.'
