Australian Rules star Rankine banned for homophobic slur

Adelaide midfielder Izak Rankine says he is "deeply sorry" after becoming the sixth Australian Football League-listed player to be suspended for using a homophobic slur in the past 16 months.

The 25-year-old was given a four-match ban after admitting a charge of using a slur against an unnamed Collingwood player during Adelaide's three-point win on Saturday.

The Australian Football League (AFL) said Rankine's words were "offensive, hurtful and highly inappropriate".

"In an AFL environment, this behaviour is not acceptable. Homophobia has no place in football," said AFL general counsel Stephen Meade.

Rankine said he has apologised to the unnamed player.

"I regret using the word and I am deeply sorry for doing so," Rankine said.

"That type of language has no place in football or in the community. It was a mistake.

"I'm committed to educating myself and being better."

Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers said the club was "frustrated and disappointed" in Rankine but that "player welfare is always a priority".

Rankine is the sixth player in the past two seasons to be suspended for using a homophobic slur against an opponent, with the bans issued ranging from three to six matches.

West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four matches last month, while Gold Coast's Will Powell was given a five-match suspension last May following a three-game ban for Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson a month earlier.

Two players in the Victorian Football League (VFL) - the second-tier competition to the AFL - have also been banned.

Sydney defender Riak Andrew was given a five-match ban last month for an anti-gay slur used in a reserves match against North Melbourne, while St Kilda's Lance Collard was suspended for six matches for comments made for Sandringham against Williamstown last year.

"One incident of this nature is too many, and the fact there have been multiple this year shows we still have more work to do and we are committed to that," said Meade.