Swans defender faces AFL ban over homophobic slur
First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans' VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday.
The AFL Integrity Unit is investigating the matter.
In a statement, Sydney said a remorseful Andrew understands the language he used is unacceptable and takes full responsibility for his actions.
Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the club are extremely disappointed in the 20-year-old's actions.
"This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously," Harley said.
"While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words."
Andrew's slur comes as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2.
"In a fortnight we will be playing in the Pride Game, a match that is incredibly important to our club," Harley said.
"We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment."
Andrew was taken with pick No.55 in last year's draft and is yet to make his AFL debut.
Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side's loss to GWS.
Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season.
Gold Coast defender Wil Powell (five matches) and Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson (three) served bans over incidents in AFL matches.
St Kilda's Lance Collard served a six-match penalty for "unprompted and highly offensive" slurs towards two Williamstown players in a VFL game.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
16 minutes ago
- ABC News
'Disheartened' AFL star Jy Farrar calls for completion of Halls Creek oval repairs
AFL player Jy Farrar has come out in support of the Halls Creek community and says it is "ridiculous" that the local football oval is unusable. Farrar's comments adds to mounting pressure on the Shire of Halls Creek over its incomplete football oval upgrade. The prolonged closure of the oval, once dubbed the region's "footy factory," has sparked concern from the Gold Coast Suns AFL player who got his start training on the Kimberley oval. After months of delays to planned works, the grounds have been left unsafe and unusable for two years. Farrar grew up in Halls Creek and said there was "no way" he would have made it to the AFL without the oval or the community surrounding it. "Halls Creek, being a footy factory, we can't even do that at the moment." The oval has launched the careers of more than 10 AFL and AFLW players over the past decade. Farrar said it hurt knowing the oval had been abandoned for so long. "It's ridiculous. With the amount of players from Halls Creek lucky enough to get on a list it's disheartening, it's a shame," he said. "We want a safe area where people can come and enjoy football, and hopefully bring joy back to the town that's been missing for the last two years." Beyond sport, the oval has also been a hub of activity and a connection point for people. "Youth crime is rising. I just think because there is no footy, kids are looking at other high adrenaline stuff to do." The delays are "unconscionable" according to former WA premier and member of the previously named North Province, Peter Dowding. "[The state government] tipped half a million [dollars] into the Halls Creek council's coffers and they've not completed the job, and that's a great shame," he said. The WA government committed $595,758 to the project in 2023, as well as an additional $285,000 through the Club Night Lights Program. Mr Dowding said young people in remote areas needed activities to participate in. "If you take away those opportunities you end up increasing levels of lawlessness," he said. "I'm not saying that's applying to everybody, but it's part of the problem when young people have got nothing to do." Mr Dowding said roll-on turf could be a "viable alternative" if the grass could not be grown. "Look at Optus oval, every week there's a roll-on turf being put down there to make sure the surface is adequate," he said. WA sport minister Rita Saffioti said she had instructed the department to work with the local shire to ensure upgrades to the oval could be delivered as soon as "practically possible". "I have been made aware of the delayed progress which I understand is due to previous contractor disputes, under the work commissioned by the shire," she said. "It's disappointing as the works were key in improving the grounds to the benefit of the broader community, which is why the WA government made a contribution." Shire of Halls Creek CEO Sue Leonard said in a statement she understood the concerns raised by the minister regarding delays. "We share the minister's disappointment. Unfortunately, earlier contractor disputes did impact timelines," she said. "We have since taken decisive steps to address these issues and move the project forward. "We welcome the minister's commitment to working collaboratively with the shire, and we remain focused on delivering the upgrades as soon as practically possible for the benefit of the Halls Creek community."
The Australian
31 minutes ago
- The Australian
Croydon Park, Prairiewood: Shots fired at two Sydney homes while children, elderly inside
Two Sydney homes have been targeted in brazen shootings overnight, with shots fired while children and elderly residents were inside. The first home was targeted on Queen St, Croydon Park at about 8pm on Friday. Police were told a person was seen standing out the front and firing two shots from a pistol into the home, before getting into the driver's seat of a white hatchback. A 44-year-old man, three women - aged 40, 51, and 71 - were inside the home with a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl at the time. No injuries were reported. The white hatchback was last seen travelling north along Tavistock St, police say. The incident is believed to be targeted. Police are urging members of the public to contact them if they know anything about either of the incidents. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Police say the incident is believed to be targeted and have urged anybody with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Little more than three hours later at about 11.25pm, police received reports of gunshots being fired into a unit in Prairiewood. An 80-year-old woman was inside at the time but was not injured. Police say a white Ford Ranger was seen in the vicinity at the time of the second shooting. It is believed at this stage to have been a case of mistaken identity. There is no evidence at this stage to suggest the Prairiewood shooting is linked to the earlier incident at Croydon Park, according to police. Jack Nivison Cadet Journalist Jack began his journalism career as a freelancer for the New England Times, a small community paper based in Armidale, regional New South Wales. He is currently a Sydney-based Cadet Journalist at News Corp. Jack Nivison
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Shots fired at two Sydney homes while children, elderly inside
Two Sydney homes have been targeted in brazen shootings overnight, with shots fired while children and elderly residents were inside. The first home was targeted on Queen St, Croydon Park at about 8pm on Friday. Police were told a person was seen standing out the front and firing two shots from a pistol into the home, before getting into the driver's seat of a white hatchback. A 44-year-old man, three women - aged 40, 51, and 71 - were inside the home with a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl at the time. No injuries were reported. The white hatchback was last seen travelling north along Tavistock St, police say. The incident is believed to be targeted. Police say the incident is believed to be targeted and have urged anybody with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Little more than three hours later at about 11.25pm, police received reports of gunshots being fired into a unit in Prairiewood. An 80-year-old woman was inside at the time but was not injured. Police say a white Ford Ranger was seen in the vicinity at the time of the second shooting. It is believed at this stage to have been a case of mistaken identity. There is no evidence at this stage to suggest the Prairiewood shooting is linked to the earlier incident at Croydon Park, according to police.
