AFL world questions Jeremy Finlayson's ban in light of Alastair Clarkson sanction

AFL fans and commentators are questioning the three-game suspension handed down to Jeremy Finlayson for a homophobic slur, particularly in light of the fact Alastair Clarkson didn't get a ban for a derogatory remark he made earlier this season. Finlayson admitted to making the slur towards an unnamed Essendon player last weekend, and the AFL deemed it an "unprompted and highly offensive" remark.

Finlayson will also be required to attend a Pride In Sport training program that he will have to pay for out of his own pocket. In determining the three-game ban, the AFL took into account that the 28-year-old had apologised and owned up to his mistake the following day.

"Everyone, including Jeremy, understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever," AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said on Wednesday. "The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society.

"We want all people in LGBTQI+ communities to feel safe playing or attending our games and we know the incident that happened on the weekend does not assist this goal. As a code 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. Jeremy's sanction would have been higher if he didn't immediately understand and take ownership of his mistake both privately and publicly."

Jeremy Finlayson and Port Adelaide respond to ban

Port Adelaide accepted the suspension immediately, and Finlayson issued a second apology. "I unreservedly apologise again to the Essendon player, my teammates, Port Adelaide members and supporters and the LGBTQIA+ community for the distress I have caused," Finlayson said.

Port president David Koch also apologised on behalf of the club. "What was said is totally unacceptable and comments of this nature do not align with what our club stands for," he said. "Port Adelaide is a place for everyone so we are very disappointed with what occurred on Friday night.

"We will now provide education for Jeremy and offer him and his family support during this time. We do not underestimate the seriousness of this matter and look forward to the AFL applying consistency to such cases in the future."

AFL world fumes over differing Finlayson and Clarkson punishments

But controversy has erupted over Finlayson's suspension due to the fact North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson was only fined $20,000 and handed a suspended two-match ban for allegedly using a homophobic slur towards St Kilda defenders Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard in the pre-season. Many have questioned why Port Adelaide player Finlayson has been treated harsher than Clarkson.

“[Alastair] Clarkson would have been the perfect one to suspend to just therefore evermore know, if you want to go down this path, that’s what happens to you," leading AFL journalist Damien Barrett said this week. “Now we get to Jeremy FInlayson five, six weeks later… it’s not good enough.”

Port Adelaide chairman David Kock said on ABC: “If you look at comparisons – and benchmarks have got to be set – with a 55-year-old coach, premeditated, target the player, walk up to them. It is very different to a player in the heat of battle when there was a lot of niggle in the game. Absolutely no excuse [for what Finlayson said], not condoning it what [so] ever, and it should not be part of the game, but if you’re going to look at a comparison that would be the benchmark.”

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The AFL's head of football Laura Kane said on the two incidents: "The really important thing to note here is the consistency with vilification matters is how seriously we take them. They're incredibly important integrity investigation processes for us because this is not something we want to hear or see on the field, off the field, or in fact in society, and we take all vilification matters incredibly seriously.

"In terms of comparing and contrasting, we investigate all these matters individually and we make sure that any sanction is connected to the incident that we are investigating and that we are dealing with. And that's what we'll be doing here in the Jeremy Finlayson matter."