AFL axes appeals board chairman Will Houghton after Lance Collard ban reduction
The AFL has sacked appeals chairman Will Houghton KC just two days after a controversial ruling in a case involving a homophobic slur.
Houghton chaired an appeals panel on Thursday night that reduced youngster Saint Lance Collard’s ban on saying the phrase “f—ing f—-t” during a VFL match from nine weeks to four weeks (with a two-game suspension).
The AFL confirmed on Saturday that the decision would come into effect immediately.
Asked about Houghton’s termination on Saturday, a league spokesman said: “Mr Houghton has served as chairman since his appointment in March 2024 and has contributed at club level for many years and the AFL thanks him for his service.”
League boss Andrew Dillon took the extreme step of condemning the appeal panel’s decision on Friday.
He said the AFL disciplinary tribunal’s initial ban was “not only justified but necessary”.
Dillon also rejected the board’s claim that it was commonplace at “highly competitive” levels of football for players to occasionally use racist, sexist or homophobic language.
Dillon said in comments later echoed by the AFL Players Association: “The AFL strongly rejects not only the statement that such language is commonplace, but also any insinuation that would be a factor in determining the severity of the sanction.”
“We will not accept, excuse or normalize behavior and language that demeans, discriminates against or denigrates people based on who they are.”
More to come.
