Finlayson issues statement following ‘unacceptable’ slur as Port chairman contends for ‘benchmark’ penalty.
Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson has confessed to directing a homophobic slur at an Essendon player during Friday’s match at Adelaide Oval. Despite the Power’s 111-42 victory, the game was marred by the accusation of a slur, which was captured by the on-field umpires’ microphones.
In a statement on Saturday night, Port Adelaide confirmed that Finlayson, feeling remorseful, had informed the club of the incident during the three-quarter time break and had apologized to the unidentified victim on the field after the game. Finlayson released a statement on Sunday and will receive guidance from club leaders in the upcoming days.
“I take full responsibility for what occurred on Friday night,” said Finlayson. “The language I used is completely unacceptable in football. We must eradicate it, and I deeply regret it.
I knew immediately that it was inappropriate, and I accept full responsibility. I addressed it at the time and … informed everyone of what happened, and now it’s up to the AFL to investigate. I’m continuing to reflect and educate myself to become a better person.”
#BREAKING 🚨 Port Adelaide has released a video of Jeremy Finlayson apologising for using a homophobic slur against an Essendon opponent
"I take full responsibility…the word I used is very unacceptable in the game of football"#6NewsAU #AFL | https://t.co/eU0kSSqP9E pic.twitter.com/U56BiIXdcq
— 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) April 7, 2024
The AFL had previously announced that it would investigate the incident involving Finlayson. In response to this, Port Adelaide stated on Saturday that they would await the conclusion of the league’s investigation.
“We are aware of an alleged comment made by a Port Adelaide player in last night’s match vs Essendon,” AFL spokesperson Jay Allen stated on Saturday night. “We are taking this matter extremely seriously. AFLIU (AFL integrity unit) are now investigating and we will provide an update once that investigation is completed.”
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch, speaking on ABC TV on Sunday, indicated that while the club is considering the possibility of a suspension from the AFL, they are awaiting the AFL’s decision. He referenced a precedent set by Alastair Clarkson’s $20,000 fine and suspended two-match ban for using inappropriate language towards Jimmy Webster.
“We will wait for the AFL process to play out before we do anything,” Koch explained. “We are not ruling it out but if you look at comparisons and benchmarks, a 55-year-old coach, premeditated, target the player, walk up to them. It’s very different to a player in the heat of battle when there was a lot of niggle on the game. Absolutely no excuse. Not condoning it, and it should not be part of the game, but if you are going to look at the comparison, that would be the benchmark.”
Koch also dismissed comparisons between Finlayson’s comment and Tex Walker’s six-game ban for using a racial slur at an SANFL game, stating that he did not believe it was realistic to draw parallels. He reiterated that the benchmark had already been set with Alastair Clarkson’s case.
