Updated ,first published
Brisbane Lions player Koby Evans is under investigation by the AFL for allegedly uttering a homophobic remark while playing in the VFL on Saturday.
The AFL has confirmed that the league’s integrity unit was made aware of an alleged incident that occurred during the game between the Lions and Coburg.
“We have been made aware of a matter arising from the VFL round six match between Coburg and the Brisbane Lions, which has been referred to the AFL integrity unit,” the AFL said in a statement.
Evans was drafted to the Lions with pick No.38 last year.
The Lions confirmed the AFL was looking at the matter.
“The club is aware of the incident and has been working with Coburg and the AFL on it,” Brisbane said in a statement.
“The club has confirmed the player has apologised multiple times – on the field and again post match.
“The player is extremely remorseful and takes full responsibility.
“The club is disappointed the incident has occurred, while supporting and educating the player.”
The alleged incident follows a protracted investigation and tribunal process involving St Kilda player Lance Collard, who denied calling an opponent a “f—ing f—-t” in the VFL.
Collard was initially handed a nine-week suspension, which was effectively reduced to two weeks by the AFL Appeals Board.
The AFL then removed the chair of the appeals board, Will Houghton KC, after rejecting his reasoning that it was “commonplace” for players to use racial, homophobic or sexist language at the most competitive levels of the game.
The investigation into Evans’ alleged remark is the eighth time the AFL has dealt with an incident of alleged homophobic language in the past three years.
Collard had previously been suspended for six matches for a homophobic slur.
Adelaide star Izak Rankine was suspended for four matches at the end of last season, which wiped him out of the Crows’ finals campaign.
Sydney’s Riak Andrews, West Coast’s Jack Graham, Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson and Gold Coast’s Wil Powell had previously served bans for homophobic language.
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