.png)
7 months ago
42
Popular TikTokker Scott O'Halloran has lashed out at the AFL for not doing enough to stamp out homophobia after footy star Jeremy Finlayson's shocking homophobic slur against an Essendon player.
Finlayson has formally apologised for the slur during his side's win on Friday night as he awaits the outcome of an AFL investigation.
The incident happened during the third quarter of the Power's 69-point victory over the Bombers at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round.
'I take full responsibility for what happened Friday night,' Finlayson said in a statement released by Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Scott O'Halloran blamed the AFL for not doing more to stamp out homophobia after Port Power star Jeremy Finlayson (left) hit an Essendon player with an anti-gay slur on Friday night
Finlayson (pictured with wife Kellie) issued a grovelling apology after the match and also spoke to his victim on the field
'The word I used is very unacceptable in the game of football. We need to stamp it out and I'm very remorseful.'
O'Halloran tore strips off the AFL in an Instagram post on Sunday night, referring to the case of Alastair Clarkson.
The North Melbourne coach was fined $20,000 and given a suspended two-match ban for using the word 'c**ks***er' in a heated exchange with two St Kilda players during the preseason.
'The AFL have a huge problem on their hand and they are the ones to blame,' O'Halloran said.
'Alastair Clarkson, a coach in the AFL, used a homophobic slur and all he got was a small fine in comparison to the man's salary, and he has clearly not deterred the player, Jeremy Finlayson, to use a homophobic slur out on the field.
'I am asking the AFL to reconsider Alastair Clarkson's punishment and to take this into consideration when it comes to Jeremy Finlayson, because in any other organisation in Australia you would immediately lose your role for speaking to a colleague like this.
A furious O'Halloran (pictured) said the league's failure to crack down hard enough on homophobia is why the AFL has never had an openly gay player
The social media star pointed to the fact Alastair Clarkson (pictured) was fined but not banned from games after an alleged homophobic outburst in the preseason
'The toll on our mental health for our community outweighs these small fines.
'AFL, you are supposed to be a leader.
'There has never been a gay AFL player that has come out of the closet and I wonder why.
'It comes from the top down.'
O'Halloran's remarks came as footy fans lashed out at Port chairman David Koch for comments he made about the slur on Sunday.
The former Sunrise host was accused of defending homophobia on the ABC TV show Offsiders by saying Finlayson should receive the same treatment as Clarkson because a 'benchmark' has now been set for penalties for anti-gay slurs.
He also said Finlayson's case can't be compared to that of Crows star Taylor Walker, who was banned for six matches for an on-field racial slur in 2021.
Port chairman David Koch (pictured with Power star Travis Boak after a game) has also been slammed by fans who thought he downplayed the seriousness of Finlayson's outburst
It is understood an umpire's microphone picked up Finlayson's insult and multiple players heard it.
Port Adelaide said Finlayson, who kicked three goals from 19 disposals against the Bombers, made the club aware of the remark during the three-quarter time break.
He spoke with the victim on the field to apologise after the final siren.
'I knew straight away that it was not acceptable and I take full responsibility,' Finlayson said.
'I addressed it at the time and ... let everyone know what happened, and it's now in the hands of the AFL to investigate.
'I'm continuing to reflect and improve myself, getting all the education I can to make myself better.'
English (US)