AFL sacks appeals board chair, Gawn condemns language

Collard was partially successful against an initial seven-week ban, with a further two weeks suspended, after being found guilty of calling a VFL opponent a "f***ing faggot" last month.

"The AFL advises that it has terminated the appointment of Will Houghton KC as chair of the AFL Appeals Board effective immediately," an AFL statement read on Saturday.

"Mr Houghton served as chair since his appointment in March 2024 and has contributed at club level over many years and the AFL thanks him for his service."

The independent appeals board, chaired by Houghton, backed the AFL disciplinary tribunal's decision of finding Collard guilty of conduct unbecoming and dismissed St Kilda's appeal against that finding.

However, it agreed with the Saints the initial penalty was manifestly excessive and dramatically reduced the suspension to two weeks, with a further two-week penalty suspended until the end of next season.

AFL boss Andrew Dillon condemned Houghton's assertion and the reduction in penalty.

"Let's be clear: homophobia has no place in Australian football. Not at any level. Not under any circumstances," Dillon said in a statement on Friday.

"We will not accept, excuse or normalise behaviour and language that demeans, discriminates or vilifies people based on who they are."

Melbourne superstar Max Gawn called it an "embarrassing" day for the players.

"For roughly six-seven hours, when we had to stand beside that message that the Appeals Board put out," Gawn told ABC Radio.

"I certainly know that the game is not that hard, I know I can shut my mouth with homophobic, racist and other vilifications."

The appeals board, chaired by Houghton, stated "football is a hard game".

"It is highly competitive, particularly at its higher levels," Houghton read.

"It is commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field."