‘Never happen again’: Banned player’s remorse after homophobic slur

Gold Coast defender Wil Powell says he made a “terrible mistake” after being handed a five-match ban for using a homophobic slur towards a Brisbane Lions player during last Sunday’s match at the Gabba.

The AFL Integrity Unit investigated the incident with Powell’s full co-operation and admission of his error and the league came down hard in the wake of a three-match ban to Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson for using a homophobic slur earlier in the season.

Powell issued a lengthy video apology declaring his apology was “from the heart” and that something like this would “never happen again”.

He told Suns officials about his comment during the match and offered his apology to the Brisbane Lions player during the game, at the end of the game, and again in the hours after the match.

“As soon as the word came out of my mouth, I knew I had made a terrible mistake,” Powell said.

“I have offered my apology to the Brisbane player and would like to publicly apologise for my comment. I will take full responsibility for what I said.

“I know there is no place for comments of that nature and I will accept the repercussions for my actions. I should have known better and I need to prove this with my actions moving forward.”

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans said the club condemned Powell’s comments but would support him in his endeavour to redeem himself.

“Wil’s comment was completely unacceptable and in no way reflects what we stand for as a football club,” Evans said.

“We have spoken to Will to ensure he understands the severity of his comment and the effect comments like these can have on others. He has committed to work hard to educate and better himself and he will have the club’s support to make those improvements.”

The AFL called Powell’s comments “highly offensive” and said his slur “demeans and denigrates any person regardless of their sexuality” after finding him guilty of a code of conduct breach.

“It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.

“The AFL acknowledges Powell’s remorse and co-operation, and while it has considered the circumstances in which the comment was made, there are no excuses for this conduct in our game.

“We foreshadowed both publicly and privately that after what transpired at Gather Round if a similar incident was to happen there would be further consequence.

“There could be no clearer message – homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society.

“We want all people in the community to feel welcomed in our game and comments such as Powell’s only takes away from this. As a code, as a community, we all must be better.”

The AFL said it was “appropriate to increase the sanction” after league chief executive Andrew Dillon flagged such action in the wake of Finlayson’s comment against Essendon.