Crows star still awaiting ban for homophobic slur

Talks between Adelaide hierarchy and the AFL have stretched into a fourth day.

"We are having ongoing discussions with the AFL as part of the due process," a Crows spokesman said on Wednesday.

Rankine is facing a suspension of between three and five games after admitting making a homophobic slur to a Collingwood opponent in Adelaide's three-point win last Saturday night.

The 25-year-old apologised to the unnamed Magpie player on Sunday as the AFL's integrity unit launched an investigation.

Rankine risks being suspended for the entire finals campaign of ladder-leading Adelaide, who are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and are then assured of hosting two finals.

Adelaide are lobbying for a three-game ban for Rankine which would offer the gifted playmaker a finals lifeline.

But there is widespread belief the AFL is pushing for a five-game suspension which would end Rankine's season.

Rankine won't train with his Crows teammates on Wednesday.

A scheduled Wednesday media conference with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has been postponed until Friday.

Last month, West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player.

In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games and, the next month, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for homophobic slurs.

Two VFL players have also been banned for the same offence.

Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne.

And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown.

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