AFL hands down verdict as Rioli apologises, takes time away from football

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Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli will not play in this weekend’s Showdown against Adelaide after the AFL handed him a one-match sanction following three separate incidents involving alleged threatening behaviour.

The player himself, however, had already stepped away from the game earlier on Thursday and offered a public apology for his “totally unacceptable” actions.

In a statement from the league late on Thursday afternoon, the AFL also determined that Rioli must participate in education around “respectful/non-violent language to be prescribed by the AFL”.

Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli. Credit: AFL Photos

“We understand in a competitive and at times combative environment there are exchanges between players on field, but they still need to be in the realms of respect and sportsmanship and that applies to everyone,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.

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