sport news Footy star turned Seven commentator Abbey Holmes takes a VERY controversial ... trends now
AFLW great Abbey Holmes has said the homophobic slurs used by footy star Jeremy Finlayson and coach Alastair Clarkson can't be compared as debate rages over the vastly different punishments handed out to the pair.
Finlayson has been banned for three weeks and ordered to attend and pay for a Pride In Sport training program after using the disgraceful term 'f****t' to describe an Essendon player in last Friday night's match.
The penalty came just over a month after North Melbourne coach Clarkson was fined $20,000 and handed a suspended two-match ban for allegedly directing the slur 'c**ks**kers' at St Kilda defenders Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard during a pre-season game.
Holmes (pictured at this year's Australian Grand Prix) sees no issue with the huge difference in penalties for Jeremy Finlayson and North coach Alastair Clarkson - even though both of them used homophobic slurs against rival players
Finlayson has been banned for three matches over his outburst - and could have faced more time out of the game if he hadn't apologised quickly last Friday night
Clarkson only got a suspended ban despite the premeditated nature of his slur against two St Kilda players in the preseason
The AFL Players Association has joined many experts and fans in slamming the league for having a double standard and not doing enough to stamp out homophobia in the game.
Holmes - who commentates on AFL matches for Channel Seven - disagreed with that stance as she was asked about the scandal on Sunrise on Thursday morning.
'I think these two incidents in isolation are very different - very different situations and circumstances,' she told host Matt Shirvington.
'I like that the AFL has come out and given this three-match suspension ... under no circumstances will they accept or tolerate any homophobic slurs or attacks.
'I think it's fair on Jeremy Finlayson and when the AFLPA have come out and said it's double standards, you need to look at these incidents on their own, in isolation.
'They are very, very different. You can't compare one or the other.'
Unlike Holmes, the head of the AFL Players Association believes the punishments represent a double standard that's harmful to the game
Holmes's comments
