AFL player to be suspended for making homophobic slur

Kieran Francis

AFL player to be suspended for making homophobic slur image

Sydney Swans youngster Riak Andrew is facing a significant suspension for using a homophobic slur during a match.

The 20-year-old was cited for making the derogatory comment during a Swans VFL match against North Melbourne on Saturday.

An AFL Integrity Unit investigation will decide the length of suspension for Andrew, who has admitted he made the slur.

Andrew is facing a multi-match ban with West Coast's Jack Graham copping a four-match suspension for self-reporting a homophobic slur last week.

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Three others players have also missed AFL matches for making homophobic slurs, including Jeremy Finlayson (three matches), Wil Powell (five matches) and Lance Collard (six matches).

"This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously," Sydney Swans chief executive Tom 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.

"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."

Riak, the brother of Gold Coast Suns star Mac Andrew, is yet to play an AFL game in his debut season after being selected with pick 55 in the 2024 National Draft.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.