The Brisbane Lions have confirmed that young midfielder Koby Evans has been found to have breached AFL Rule 2.3(a), commonly referred to as conduct unbecoming, after an incident in the VFL. The event occurred during the Round 6 match between Coburg and the Brisbane Lions on May 2. The club reported the matter to the AFL Integrity Unit and Evans quickly admitted the comment, apologising both at the time and during the investigation.
This report outlines the investigation’s findings, the penalty imposed on Evans, the remedial steps required of him, and how the league is situating this case within its ongoing work to stamp out vilification in Australian football. It also considers recent related controversies and the policy changes introduced by the AFL to address discriminatory language and behaviour across all competitions.
Incident and investigation
The alleged remark was described by the Integrity Unit as a homophobic slur directed at an opponent in the Coburg game. Following the club’s notification, the Integrity Unit conducted an inquiry in which Evans made full admissions. The player’s acceptance of responsibility — formally recorded as self-reported conduct — played a significant role in the way the matter was resolved. The league characterised the language as highly offensive, noting it demeans and denigrates people on the basis of sexuality.
Sanction and education
Evans received a four-match suspension that will rule him out of selection for the Brisbane Lions in both the AFL and VFL during the period that covers Rounds 9 to 12 of the AFL season, and any VFL fixtures aligning with those rounds. Alongside the suspension, the league stipulated compulsory LGBTQI+ inclusion education as part of the corrective measures. The AFL explained that the duration of the ban was consistent with previous cases where a player self-reported similar behaviour.
Why education is part of the sanction
The mandated training reflects the AFL’s view that discipline should include restoration and learning. The education module is designed to deepen understanding of vilification and its effects, and to reinforce standards of respectful conduct. The AFL introduced a dedicated LGBTQI+ inclusion module from the 2026 season and requires annual completion for players and club staff, a step meant to complement on-field penalties with off-field awareness-building.
Context and wider response
League officials stressed that homophobic language has no place in football. AFL Chief Operating Officer Tom Harley noted that players must know what is acceptable both on and off the field, and highlighted that Evans had taken ownership of his actions privately and publicly. The response from the AFL is also framed by recent controversies: this is the second publicly reported homophobic incident this year, and earlier disputes around appeals and sanctions prompted strong statements from the competition’s leadership.
In a related episode the Appeals Board chair, Will Houghton, was dismissed following public outcry over the reduction of a suspension for a St Kilda player, Lance Collard, in a separate case that had itself been a focal point for debate. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon had publicly criticised decisions that appeared to normalise derogatory on-field language, insisting the league would not accept or excuse behaviour that discriminates against people based on who they are.
Looking ahead
The AFL says it will continue to review and strengthen anti-vilification training at every level of the game. For Evans, the immediate consequences are the missed selection opportunities during Rounds 9 to 12 and the requirement to complete targeted inclusion education. For the competition, the case reinforces an ongoing push to align disciplinary action, education and cultural change so that respect and inclusion remain core principles of the sport.