Izak Rankine has received a four week ban for a "highly offensive homophobic slur", meaning he won't be available for next month's grand final if the Crows progress without losing a home final.

The AFL handed down the sanction on Thursday afternoon after finding Rankine breached AFL player conduct rules with the slur directed towards a Collingwood player on Saturday night.

Rankine said he was sorry and he regretted using the slur in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

The Crows confirmed Rankine used the slur.

In similar instances from the previous two seasons, players have received sanctions from three-to-six weeks.

St Kilda youngster Lance Collard received a six week ban for multiple homophobic slurs said during a VFL match last year.

Last month, West Coast's Jack Graham received a four-week ban for a similar breach, while Gold Coast player Wil Powell was ruled out for five matches.

The Crows reported the incident to the AFL on Saturday night. The league noted Rankine called the Magpies player to apologise at the weekend and fully cooperated with integrity unit investigations this week - where he admitted to the slur and was "remorseful for it".

"The language used was offensive, hurtful and highly inappropriate. Our players have a very clear understanding of what is acceptable on the football field. Importantly, in this instance it was called out by players and acknowledged by Izak himself as wrong — and that reflects the standards we expect and demand in our game," AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.

"Izak has said he knew it was not acceptable. 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. Everyone in football understands the rules, and there are consequences of breaching them".

In a statement via the club on Thursday, Rankine said: "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".

"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," he said.

"I'm committed to educating myself and being better."

The four week ban throws Rankine's chances of appearing in this year's grand final into serious doubt.

After surging into contention this year, the Crows have booked in two home finals sitting on top of the ladder with a final home and away match with North Melbourne this weekend.

Rankine is guaranteed to miss at least three finals. His only chance of featuring in this year's Grand Final is if Adelaide drop next week's home qualifier against whichever club ends the year in fourth spot.

With a win in the first week of September, they'll progress through to the preliminary final meaning the final week of Rankine's ban would be served on Grand Final day.

The AFL advised on Wednesday the Crows had been granted more time to respond to the proposed determinations regarding the incident.

Reports through the week suggested Adelaide's case surrounded Rankine being provoked by a Collingwood player in the lead up to the slur.

"We recognise this is a challenging time for the players and clubs involved, and appropriate support has been offered. But our responsibility is also to every player, official and fan who deserves respect when they come to our game. In 2025, the players know this more than anyone," Meade said on Thursday.

"We know people in the LGBTQI+ community and allies hurt when an incident like this happens. One incident of this nature is too many, and the fact there have been multiple this year shows we still have more work to do and we are committed to that."

Rankine will also be made to undertake further Pride In Sport training.

He was absent from training on Monday.

Earlier this week, Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said the club were focusing on their upcoming final game of the home and away season.

"We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here," Nicks said.

"But we'll work our way through it."

Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said: "Such language is unacceptable and at odds with the values of our organisation, and we are committed to being a Club that fosters a respectful and inclusive environment".

"We are obviously frustrated and disappointed however, player welfare is always a priority and we will provide Izak with the appropriate support and education," he said.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon is due to speak at 4:30pm eastern time on Thursday afternoon. The Crows will also hold their own press conference.