{"id":6588,"date":"2026-05-07T07:46:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T07:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/6588\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T07:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T07:46:07","slug":"brisbane-lions-youngster-koby-evans-apologises-after-accepting-hefty-ban-for-homophobic-slur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/6588\/","title":{"rendered":"Brisbane Lions youngster Koby Evans apologises after accepting hefty ban for homophobic slur"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brisbane Lions<\/a> youngster Koby Evans has apologised for \u201cunacceptable\u201d language after accepting a four-match ban for a homophobic slur.<\/p>\n

7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed Evans was under investigation<\/a> for a slur stemming from the VFL match on the weekend.<\/p>\n

The AFL concluded their investigation on Thursday with Evans receiving a four-match ban. The sanction was shorter than the standard five matches because he self reported and accepted responsibility.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

The 18-year-old apologised multiple times in the aftermath of the incident, including on the field and after the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy language was totally unacceptable, I\u2019m disappointed in myself, and apologise to the LGBTQI+ community and our club,\u201d Evans said in a statement on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew as soon as it came out of my mouth, that I\u2019d made a bad mistake and this language is unacceptable on or off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brisbane CEO Sam Graham said the club was disappointed, but will continue to support the youngster.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur club is committed to being an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to belong, including players, staff, members and fans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cKoby has addressed his teammates and through this situation has been upfront with the club and AFL about this matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recognise that Koby is at the beginning of his career and we will work with him to provide the necessary support and education, to ensure he understands the impact words can have on people\u201d<\/p>\n

During the period of suspension, Evans will undertake LGBTQI+ inclusion education, delivered by subject matter experts.<\/p>\n

Evans was drafted with pick 38 in last year\u2019s AFL draft and has played five VFL matches with the Lions.<\/p>\n

This latest investigation comes just two weeks after the completion of St Kilda forward Lance Collard\u2019s own homophobic slur saga.<\/p>\n

Collard was given a nine-match sanction (two games suspended) by an AFL disciplinary tribunal.<\/p>\n

After appealing the outcome, the Saints had Collard\u2019s ban reduced<\/a> to a four-match sanction (two games suspended) by the AFL Appeals Board.<\/p>\n

It was Collard\u2019s second homophobic slur ban in the space of three seasons. He was given a six-match ban in 2024.<\/p>\n

Since the start of 2024, Port Adelaide\u2019s Jeremy Finlayson (three matches), Gold Coast\u2019s Wil Powell (five matches), West Coast\u2019s Jack Graham (four matches), Sydney\u2019s Riak Andrews (five matches) and Adelaide\u2019s Izak Rankine (four matches) have also received bans for homophobic slurs.<\/p>\n

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