Izak Rankine, a forward for AFL club the Adelaide Crows, received a four-match ban (after initially receiving a five-match suspension) following the use of a homophobic slur in a 16 August AFL game against Collingwood Football Club. After returning to the country, Rankine apologised for the use of the slur, saying he was “deeply sorry”. The Rainbow Crows, a supporter group of the club comprised of LGBTQ+ fans, has revealed that Rankine met with them for an “open and honest conversation” about the incident with founder Brett McAloney. Rankine missed the last game of the home and away season, and will not return until Round 2 next year. At Adelaide Airport on his return to Australia, Rankine told reporters: “I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for what I said. There was no excuse, it was wrong and I take full responsibility. “I’m disappointed in myself and I know I have let a lot of people down. “I want to apologise to anyone who I have hurt and offended. I understand tha...