Australian Rules-Adelaide footballer banned for four weeks for homophobic slur

MELBOURNE, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Adelaide Crows forward Izak Rankine has been banned for four weeks for directing a homophobic slur at an opponent, all but ruling him out of the Australian Football League's (AFL) playoffs in a blow for his team's championship push. The AFL said on Thursday Rankine would also need to undertake further "Pride in Sport" training after finding he had used a "highly offensive" slur during the Crows' home win over Collingwood on Saturday. The AFL is the top flight of Australian Rules football. "In an AFL environment, this behaviour is not acceptable," AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement. "Homophobia has no place in football. The suspension is significant, but stamping out vilification in our game is incredibly important." The AFL did not say which word Rankine had used. The 25-year-old, one of Adelaide's most important players, will not play another match this season unless the Crows lose their first post-season playoff and win the next two to reach the championship-deciding Grand Final. He is the sixth AFL player to be suspended for the offence in two seasons. "I regret using the word and I am very sorry for doing so, and that type of language has no place in football or the community," Rankine said in a club statement. "It was a mistake and I have apologised to the Collingwood player, and what happened does not reflect my values or those of the club. "I'm committed to educating myself and being better." Adelaide are top of the table but Rankine's suspension is a blow to their hopes of winning a third AFL championship and their first in 27 years. The Indigenous Australian footballer is a proven match-winner renowned in the sport for his goal-kicking prowess. Crows CEO Tim Silvers said the club were extremely disappointed with his behaviour. "Such language is unacceptable and at odds with the values of our organisation, and we are committed to being a club that fosters a respectful and inclusive environment," Silvers said. "We are obviously frustrated and disappointed, however, player welfare is always a priority and we will provide Izak with the appropriate support and education." The AFL has player education programmes and a national "Vilification and Discrimination" policy aimed at stamping out racism, sexism and homophobia in the league. Despite those efforts, a slew of players have been sanctioned for making homophobic remarks. Last month, West Coast Eagles' Jack Graham was banned for four games after using a slur toward a Greater Western Sydney opponent. Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches last season and Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three, also for homophobic slurs. (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford) ((ian.ransom@thomsonreuters.com; Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/MyRansomNotes; +61 3 9286 1447;)) Keywords: AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL/HOMOPHOBIA