SANFL bans spectator for 12 months after homophobic slur at Liam McBean
Patron removed from Adelaide Oval during qualifying final; league calls comment 'highly offensive' and commends McBean for calling it out
The South Australian National Football League has banned a spectator from attending SANFL matches for 12 months after the person directed a homophobic slur at Glenelg captain Liam McBean during last weekend's qualifying final at Adelaide Oval.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of the match, which also marked McBean's 150th SANFL game. McBean, a former Richmond premiership player, reportedly heard the abuse and gestured toward the stands. A boundary umpire confirmed the remark and alerted stadium security, and the patron was quickly removed from the venue.
Following an investigation, the SANFL announced the one-year ban on Friday. ‘‘The SANFL has today issued a penalty to a patron in relation to an incident during the SANFL Qualifying Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday,’’ the league said in a statement, describing the comment as a "highly offensive homophobic slur" and commending McBean for calling it out.
The league did not identify the patron publicly but said the sanction prohibits attendance at SANFL matches for 12 months. SANFL security staff and match officials acted to remove the individual during the game after the boundary umpire's report.
The episode occurred days after the suspension of AFL player Izak Rankine, drawing renewed attention to spectator and participant conduct in and around Australian football. League officials have in recent seasons reiterated codes of conduct for patrons and participants and said they would continue to investigate and punish discriminatory behaviour.
McBean, who captains Glenelg, has played at senior levels in both the SANFL and AFL and was the immediate target of the abuse during what was otherwise a milestone appearance. The SANFL said it would continue to work with clubs, venues and security providers to ensure an inclusive environment at matches and to take appropriate action when incidents occur.
The league did not release further details about the investigation or any additional disciplinary measures but said it remains committed to enforcing standards of conduct at its events.