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Gold Coast VFL Ruckman Max Knobel Referred to AFL Integrity Unit Over Alleged Homophobic Slur
The AFL integrity unit is examining an alleged incident during a VFL match on Saturday. The league has issued multiple suspensions in recent seasons for similar conduct.
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Gold Coast ruckman Max Knobel is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur made during a VFL match against Brisbane on Saturday. The matter has been referred to the AFL's integrity unit. Knobel has not yet made his AFL debut.
He previously spent time on Fremantle's list. If found guilty, Knobel would face a sizeable ban. The AFL has acted multiple times in recent years to address homophobic language. Brisbane Lions draftee Koby Evans received a four-game ban earlier this year for directing a homophobic slur at a VFL opponent.
The league dismissed its appeals board chairman Will Houghton after he described racist, sexist or homophobic language as "commonplace" in the AFL. Houghton made the remarks while handling a case involving St Kilda's Lance Collard. Collard, 21, received a six-game ban two years ago for using homophobic language.
He was initially handed a seven-week suspension for an incident this year before the penalty was reduced to two weeks on appeal. Collard stated he did not use a homophobic term in this year's case. Adelaide's Izak Rankine was banned for four matches last year for using homophobic language and missed the Crows' finals series.
Sydney defender Riak Andrew received a five-match suspension last season, and West Coast player Jack Graham was suspended for four matches. In 2024, former Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson was handed a three-match ban, and Gold Coast midfielder Wil Powell was suspended for five matches.
