St Kilda-listed player Lance Collard has been suspended for six weeks for conduct unbecoming in relation to an incident during a Victorian Football League match on the weekend in which Collard used unprompted and highly offensive homophobic slurs against two Williamstown opponents.
Collard has received a six-match suspension and is required to attend appropriate Pride in Sport training as approved by the AFL in which Collard will pay personally.
He will not be eligible to play for St Kilda or Sandringham during this period.
While the incident happened during a VFL match, as a listed player for St Kilda, Collard is bound by AFL rules and the incident was investigated by the AFLIU.
Collard admitted and understood his behaviour was wrong and has since apologised to Williamstown and the players involved.
“There is no excuse for using the language that Collard used on the weekend. Everyone understands it is 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 everyone to feel safe playing in our game and Collard’s behaviour does not help this.
“As a code we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.”
