Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine has broken his silence on the homophobic slur he directed towards an opponent, saying the word he used was "harmful", "hurtful" and has "no place in our game or society".

Speaking to media at Adelaide Airport almost a fortnight after he was suspended for four matches by the AFL over the incident, Rankine apologised over the remark.

"I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for what I said. There was no excuse. It was wrong and I take full responsibility," Rankine said.

"I'm disappointed in myself and I know I've let a lot of people down. I want to apologise to anyone I've hurt, offended.

"I understand that word is offensive, it's harmful, it's hurtful and it has no place in our game or society."

The 25-year-old tonight arrived at the airport, da

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