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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMAFL sack chair of Appeals board following Collard comments
SEN • April 25th, 2026 2:39 pm
SEN's Tom Morris has confirmed that the AFL has sacked William Houghton KC following comments made in relation to Lance Collard's case at the AFL Appeals Board.
Houghton was the chair on the AFL Appeals Board which determined that the Saints' forward initial nine game suspension for using a homophobic slur on the football field was 'manifestly excessive' and saw the suspension reduced to four games (with two games suspended through to the end of the 2027 season).
In their reasoning to reduce the suspension, the board determined that on ocassion, it can be "commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field."
Following their decision, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has come out and criticised the decision made by the Appeals Board.
"That sanction reflected the seriousness of using a homophobic slur on the field and was intended to set a clear standard for our game - particularly given this was a second offence," he said.
"The Appeals Board last night reduced the sanction to a four-match suspension, with two matches suspended until the end of next year. In our view, stronger action was not only warranted – it was necessary.
"Let me be clear: homophobia has no place in Australian football. Not at any level. Not under any circumstances."
