The AFL has dismissed the head of its Appeals Board after the board reduced St Kilda player Lance Collard’s seven‑match ban for using a homophobic slur to just two weeks.
In their published reasoning, the board appeared to suggest it was acceptable for players to make homophobic and racist comments in the heat of the game due to the competitive nature of the sport. The statement stood in distinct contrast to the league’s zero‑tolerance policy.
“We observe that football is a hard game. It is highly competitive, particularly at its higher levels,” the appeals board wrote.
“It is commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field,” the review board said.
Both the players’ association and AFL CEO Andrew Dillon were quick to reject the description of homophobic and racist language being “commonplace” within the game.
“In the AFL’s view, stronger action was not only warranted, it was necessary,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
“Let’s be clear — homophobia has no place in Australian football. Not at any level. Not under any circumstances.
“The AFL specifically rejects the appeals board’s reasoning, which stated, ‘it is commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field’.
“The AFL strongly rejects the statement not only that such language is commonplace, but also any implication that it may be a factor in determining the severity of the sanction.”
The Chair of the Review Board, Will Houghton KC, has now been told it is time for him to leave his position. He had been Chair since March 2024.
The AFL said it thanked Houghton for his service.
