Man is charged for allegedly threatening footy star at the centre of homophobia scandal that rocked the AFL
An Adelaide man has been arrested and charged with allegedly sending threatening social media messages to AFL star Izak Rankine.
A 31-year-old man from Kensington Gardens in the city's east on Tuesday and charged with using a carriage service in an offensive manner.
He has been bailed to appear before Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 30.
The arrest came 'following a lengthy investigation by the SAPOL Cybercrime Investigation Section', South Australia Police said in a statement.
'It will be alleged that on Monday 8 September, five threatening messages were sent to a 25-year-old man via social media,' the statement read.
'The victim reported the matter to police.'
An Adelaide man has been charged with allegedly sending threatening social media messages to Crows star Izak Rankine (pictured with Calista Mittiga)
The 25-year-old footy star (pictured right with Collingwood's Nick Daicos) made headlines when he was suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur against an opponent
Rankine was suspended for four games after admitting to using a homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide's thrilling round-23 win on August 16 this year.
The 25-year-old had to sit out the Crows' last home and away game against North Melbourne.
'Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable,' the AFL's general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement announcing the four-game ban.
'Adelaide have said they know it is not acceptable.
'In an AFL environment, this behaviour is not acceptable. Homophobia has no place in football.
'The suspension is significant but stamping out vilification in our game is incredibly important.'
Adelaide reportedly made strong representations to the AFL to get Rankine's ban reduced, including bringing up homophobic lyrics and remarks made by rapper Snoop Dogg, who was hired by the league to perform at the grand final.
However, the AFL decided on four matches instead of five due to the Crows providing the league with what the league called 'compelling medical reasons' to reduce the ban.
Rankine apologised for using the slur and left Australia amid heavy media scrutiny
It is believed those reasons revolved around the possible effect of a season-ending ban on Rankine's mental health.
He was also ordered to undertake training with the Pride in Sport organisation, which provides education on LGBTQ issues.
The 25-year-old apologised to the Magpies player as the AFL's integrity unit launched an investigation, and apologised again after the ban was handed down.
'I regret using the word and I am very sorry for doing so, and that type of language has no place in football or the community,' Rankine said in a club statement.
'It was a mistake and I have apologised to the Collingwood player, and what happened does not reflect my values or those of the club.
'I'm committed to educating myself and being better.'
