Overview

• Rankine must also complete further Pride In Sport inclusion training following the AFL Integrity Unit’s investigation.
• The AFL said Rankine admitted using the slur, personally phoned the Collingwood player to apologise, and fully cooperated.
• Officials reduced a proposed five-match penalty after receiving what they called compelling medical submissions, a move that drew sharp criticism over transparency and consistency.
• Adelaide will not appeal; CEO Tim Silvers said Rankine is taking time away from the club as it provides support and education.
• The four-game ban likely rules him out of most of the finals, with only a narrow path to a grand final return, and he becomes the sixth AFL-listed player in two seasons suspended for homophobic language.