Adelaide star Izak Rankine is under AFL investigation for allegedly using a homophobic slur during the game against Collingwood on Saturday night.
The AFL confirmed on Monday that its integrity unit is looking into the alleged on-field incident.
“The AFL is aware of an alleged matter with the Integrity Unit making enquiries,” a league spokesperson said.
Adelaide have confirmed that one of their players is under investigation.
“We are aware of an alleged matter involving one of our players in Saturday night’s game and we are in discussions with the AFL,” a club spokesperson said on Monday.
The Crows defeated the Magpies to lock in a first finals campaign since 2017 and tighten their grip on top spot with one round remaining in the home and away season.
Rankine has been critical to the Crows’ rise into premiership contention after the club finished 15th last year.
The 25-year-old has averaged 20.5 disposals and booted 31 goals this season as his creative spark is a key to the Crows’ success.
Rankine is yet to play in a finals series after spending four seasons with Gold Coast before joining a rebuilding Adelaide at the end of 2022.
But the resurgent Crows’ premiership hopes could face a huge blow as the AFL integrity unit looks into the alleged incident.
“It’s obviously in the AFL’s hands and we will let them investigate and see what happens,” Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson said on Monday.
The AFL has handed out suspensions ranging from three to five matches in the past two seasons to players found guilty of conduct unbecoming.
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West Coast’s Jack Graham was last month suspended for four matches for directing a “highly offensive” homophobic slur toward a GWS Giants opponent, after the Eagles player self-reported the incident.
Sydney player Riak Andrew was suspended for five matches this season for a homophobic slur used in a VFL match against North Melbourne.
Three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last year.
Gold Coast defender Wil Powell (five matches) and Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson (three) were banned over incidents during AFL matches.
St Kilda’s Lance Collard was handed a six-match penalty for “unprompted and highly offensive” slurs directed towards two Williamstown players in a VFL game.
