Source : the age
St Kilda’s Lance Collard was found to have used a homophobic slur at a Frankston opponent during a VFL match in March, but a sanction has not yet been decided.
The AFL made the announcement on Friday after a lengthy independent disciplinary tribunal hearing that went for nearly five hours the previous day.
The finding of the tribunal was that he breached AFL Rule 2.3(a) (conduct unbecoming) by the use of a homophobic slur directed towards an opponent.
Collard, who was suspended for six matches in 2024 when he admitted using a homophobic slur in a VFL game, denied using a homophobic slur this time and told the tribunal on Thursday he said, “Come here, you maggot”, to his opponent and former Sandringham teammate Darby Hipwell.
Hello and welcome to our AFL tribunal coverage.
It’s going to be a hectic day for the AFL’s judiciary system. Two cases are being heard. In the case of St Kilda player Lance Collard – who has been found to have used a homophobic slur – his penalty will be announced after 3pm AEST.
The case of Zak Butters’ alleged umpire abuse will be heard later.
