Footy star Jeremy Finlayson is punished by the AFL for disgraceful homophobic slur - but the controversial penalty has divided fans

Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has been given a three-game suspension after admitting to making a homophobic slur towards an unnamed Essendon player.

The AFL deemed Finlayson used an 'unprompted and highly offensive' remark during the third quarter of the Power's 69-point win against the Bombers on Friday night.

As well as missing three games, Finlayson will be required to attend a Pride In Sport training program that he will have to pay for himself.

In determining the sanction, the AFL took into account the 28-year-old apologising and owning up to his mistake the following day.

'Everyone, including Jeremy understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever,' AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.

'The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society.

'We want all people in LGBTQI+ communities to feel safe playing or attending our games and we know the incident that happened on the weekend does not assist this goal.

'As a code we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.

'The AFL will continue to consider the specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses.

'Jeremy's sanction would have been higher if he didn't immediately understand and take ownership of his mistake both privately and publicly.'

Port Adelaide said they would accept the Finlayson sanction.

Last month, North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson was fined $20,000 and handed a suspended two-match ban for allegedly using a homophobic slur at St Kilda defenders Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard during a pre-season game.

Power chairman David Koch was slammed and accused of defending homophobia when he said Clarkson's penalty was the benchmark for the league and Finlayson shouldn't miss any game time. 

He also said the penalty shouldn't match the long suspension given to Crows star Taylor 'Tex' Walker after he was found guilty of an on-field racial slur in 2021.  

Footy fans were divided by the suspension as they reacted to the news on social media.

'Weak by the AFL, set a standard by don't live up to it but what's new,' one wrote on X, with another echoing his stance by simply adding 'p**s weak @AFL'.

'Reminder: AFL gave Tex 3 [weeks] for his comment, Crows gave him an additional 3. PAFC [Port Adelaide] not adding their own suspension speaks volumes for how little they think of their LGBT+ players and fans,' another commenter said.

'I believe this should be 10-12 match and 20,000k fine,' wrote another fan, with others saying Finlayson should have been suspended for at least five weeks, and noting that junior soccer players found guilty of the same offence get an automatic eight weeks on the sidelines.

However, plenty of fans thought the ban was not justified.

Remarks like 'world has gone soft', 'next the players will be arrested for hate speech' and 'FREE HIM' summed up the thoughts of fans who oppose the suspension.

'Absolute Joke!!!! The old sticks and stones phase is long gone, but 3 games for words in the heat of the moment. Cmon,' wrote another fan, whose stance was backed up by comments including '3 games for WORDS' and 'April fools was last week??? Disgraceful! Won't watch footy until he plays again.'

In 2022, the NRL suspended Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya for four matches after directing a homophobic slur at North Queensland star Kyle Feldt.

The NRL wanted a six-week ban, but took Montoya's previous good record, the remorse he had shown and his guilty plea into consideration.