- Finlayson faces punishment from the league for a vicious outburst
- The Port Adelaide star could be in line for a long-term ban
- Influencer has criticized the league for not taking action
Popular TikTokker Scott O’Halloran has lashed out at the AFL for not doing enough to stamp out homophobia following footy star Jeremy Finlayson’s shocking homophobic slur against an Essendon player.
Finlayson has formally apologized for the slur during his side’s victory on Friday night as he awaits the outcome of an AFL investigation.
The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Power’s 69-point win over the Bombers at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round.
“I take full responsibility for what happened on Friday evening,” Finlayson said in a statement from Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Scott O’Halloran blamed the AFL for not doing more to stamp out homophobia after Port Power star Jeremy Finlayson (left) hit an Essendon player with an anti-gay slur on Friday evening.
Finlayson (pictured with his wife Kellie) issued a groveling apology after the match and also spoke to his victim on the pitch
‘The word I used is very unacceptable in football. We have to eradicate it and I deeply regret it.”
O’Halloran ripped into the AFL in an Instagram post on Sunday night, referring to Alastair Clarkson’s case.
The North Melbourne coach was fined $20,000 and given a two-match ban for using the word ‘c**ks***er’ in a heated argument with two St Kilda players during pre-season.
“The AFL has a huge problem and they are the ones to blame,” O’Halloran said.
‘Alastair Clarkson, a coach in the AFL, used a homophobic slur and all he got was a small fine compared to the man’s salary, and he clearly did not deter the player, Jeremy Finlayson, from using homophobic slurs on the field to use a slur. .
‘I ask the AFL to reconsider Alastair Clarkson’s punishment and take this into account when it comes to Jeremy Finlayson, because in any other organization in Australia you would immediately lose your role if you spoke to such a colleague.
An irate O’Halloran (pictured) said the league’s failure to tackle homophobia hard enough is the reason the AFL has never had an openly gay player
The social media star pointed out that Alastair Clarkson (pictured) was fined but not banned from matches after an alleged homophobic outburst in pre-season
“The mental health toll on our community is greater than these small fines.
“AFL, you’re supposed to be a leader.
“No gay AFL player has ever come out and I wonder why.
“It comes from above.”
O’Halloran’s comments came as footy fans lashed out at Port chairman David Koch over comments he made about the slur on Sunday.
The former Sunrise presenter was accused of defending homophobia on ABC TV show Offsiders by saying Finlayson should receive the same treatment as Clarkson as a ‘benchmark’ has now been set for punishment for anti-gay speech .
He also said Finlayson’s case cannot be compared to that of Crows star Taylor Walker, who was suspended for six games in 2021 for racist comments on the pitch.
Port chairman David Koch (pictured with Power star Travis Boak after a match) has also been criticized by fans who thought he was downplaying the severity of Finlayson’s outburst
It is understood a referee’s microphone picked up Finlayson’s insult and several players heard it.
Port Adelaide said Finlayson, who scored three goals from 19 disposals against the Bombers, informed the club of the comment during the three-quarter break.
He spoke to the victim on the field to apologize after the final siren.
“I knew immediately this was not acceptable and I take full responsibility,” Finlayson said.
“I discussed it at the time and… let everyone know what happened, and it’s now in the hands of the AFL to investigate.
‘I continue to reflect and improve myself, and get as much education as possible to make myself better.’