‘Extreme regret’: Suns player banned for five matches over homophobic slur
Gold Coast’s Wil Powell has been given a five-match ban for using the same homophobic slur as previously suspended Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson in last Sunday’s QClash.
The league announced the ban on Thursday for what it described as a “highly offensive homophobic slur” against a Lions opponent, just weeks after Finlayson served a three-match suspension for vilifying Essendon opponent.
Banned: Wil Powell.
Powell called a Lions player a “f—–” according to two sources familiar with the incident, who were not authorised to speak publicly. The Lions player instinctively turned to an umpire to enquire if he had heard the remark, the sources said.
Powell will not be eligible to play for Gold Coast during rounds nine to 13, including in the VFL.
He is the third player or coach to be sanctioned this year for offensive language, and has been given the most severe penalty.
It comes a month after Finlayson was suspended for three matches for a remark he made to an Essendon player.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson was fined $20,000 and given a two-match ban – suspended for two years – after labelling St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster a “c———” in an angry outburst during a practice match in March.
Webster had concussed senior Kangaroos midfielder Jy Simpkin with a shirtfront, and was later rubbed out for seven matches.
“It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement on Thursday.
“The AFL acknowledges Powell’s remorse and cooperation, 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 league said it would continue to consider the specific circumstances of each incident when determining any sanction in the future.
It said an increase on the three-match penalty given to Finlayson was appropriate “to reflect the AFL’s deep concern about this repeat in close proximity to the last occurrence and in order to further deter such conduct in the future”.
Powell apologised publicly on the club’s social media account and also in a doorstop interview, though did not directly address the gay community, referring to “appropriate groups”. Powell was not wearing the club’s polo in these appearances.
“On Sunday night, there was a heated confrontation between myself and a Brisbane Lions player where I slipped [and said] a homophobic word on accident,” Powell said on the Suns’ account on social media platform X.
“I sincerely regret what I said that night and as soon as I said it I was remorseful. I’ve apologised to the Brisbane Lions player multiple times during the night and after the game via text. I’m extremely sorry for what I’ve said. It won’t ever happen again.
“I’d like to apologise to everyone that this may affect, and the word that I used being a homophobic slur, or the appropriate groups it may affect and all the people surrounding those groups. I hope that you take my apology sincerely as it’s coming from the heart and I’m very hurt by saying this.
“I extremely regret what I said and I’m extremely apologetic.”
Gold Coast said Powell made club officials aware of his comment during the game and apologised to the Lions player during and immediately after 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 in a Suns statement.
“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.”
Suns chief executive Mark Evans said the club condemned Powell’s remark but would work with him as he aimed 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 Wil 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.”
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