The AFL has been torn to shreds over the baffling punishment it has handed to Adelaide star Izak Rankine .

On Thursday, Rankine was banned for four matches for his use of a homophobic slur during the game against Collingwood ... but there was immediate backlash from fans and experts who are failing to understand why the suspension was not for five matches.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kane Cornes on Izak Rankine’s ban.

The AFL has been strong on its stance on racism and homophobia in recent years but that is suddenly now in question.

Channel 7 commentator and former AFLW star Kate McCarthy accused the leaders at AFL House of going soft.

“Zero tolerance? I don’t really think we’ve seen zero tolerance play out this week.” McCarthy said on Triple M after Thursday’s verdict.

In 2024 Jere

See Full Page