The Adelaide Crows are preparing a response after the AFL reportedly informed the club that Izak Rankine would be offered a season-ending five-game ban over the allegation he uttered a homophobic slur.
The Crows, who are four points clear atop the ladder and gunning for their first flag since 1998, are expected to respond on Wednesday to the suspension reportedly offered to Rankine, according to The Age.
Eddie McGuire reported on Nine's Footy Classified on Tuesday night that the AFL would deal Rankine a five-game ban after it was alleged he directed a homophobic slur toward a Collingwood opponent during Saturday's match at Adelaide Oval.
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On Wednesday, a Crows spokesperson told The Age: "We are having ongoing discussions with the AFL as part of the due process."
Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Craig McRae conceded on Wednesday that the AFL industry was lagging behind in regard to homophobia.
"I think as an industry we've been slow to the party, but we don't want to accept these behaviours in our workplace," McRae told media.
"I think no one wants that in our workplace, and the AFL industry's no different."
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Asked if the Collingwood player at whom the alleged slur was directed was OK, McRae said: "Yeah, I think so. We had a good chat on the weekend and then again on Monday morning just to check in. It's about making sure our players are safe."
He then said he didn't want people to "demonise" Rankine.
"Everyone's allowed to make mistakes," McRae said.
"The young lad seems like a really respectful young man, and he's made an error. The AFL will take their own course on that, but you're allowed to make mistakes, as well. So we respect that."
McGuire said on Footy Classified that Adelaide would have an opportunity to appeal the sanction.
Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane said McGuire's report that Rankine would receive a five-match ban was "devastating", but admitted it wasn't "surprising".
"I think the general feel from the club since they found out was this was always going to be the case," Sloane said on Footy Classified.
"The only choice you have in these situations is to accept it and move on. And that's what they'll do.
"Squads win finals. Bob Murphy missed [finals] for the Bulldogs [in 2016], Andrew Gaff missed for West Coast [in 2018], a couple of big games, they still went on to win flags, and the whole mentality of that footy club is squads win finals."
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks was scheduled to face media in his weekly press conference on Wednesday, but that has been pushed back to Friday.
