Adelaide's Izak Rankine is under investigation by the AFL, amid allegations he directed a homophobic slur at a Collingwood player in the Crows' win Saturday night.
The Crows are set to appear in the finals for the first time since 2017, and are one of the favourites to win the flag as they close in on top spot with just one round remaining.
But their chance at a premiership is now at risk of taking a major hit, pending the outcome of the investigation, that was initially broken by Channel Seven's Mitch Cleary.
"Izak Rankine is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur directed at an opponent during Saturday night’s win over Collingwood," Cleary reported.
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"It’s understood key officials only became aware of the matter on Sunday, with investigations set to ramp up on Monday.
"The AFL, Crows and the Magpies declined to comment when contacted by 7NEWS."
It is not the first instance of a player being investigated for use of an alleged homophobic slur in recent memory.
In 2024, three players were suspended for use of a homophobic slur, with Jeremy Finlayson (three matches), Wil Powell (five matches) and Lance Collard (six matches) all punished.
A further two players have so far been suspended this year, with West Coast's Jack Graham forced to miss four games earlier in the year, and Sydney's Riak Andrew only recently dealt a five-week suspension for similar language.
If the investigation finds Rankine guilty, he could be sidelined for the same period of time as Andrew, which would force the forward to miss the Crows' entire finals run, even if they make it through to the Grand Final.
The Crows have just one game remaining in the home-and-away season, before the potential for four matches in September.
The Sporting News is not suggesting Rankine made the comments, only that the AFL is investigating.