Adelaide are deciding whether to bar Izak Rankine from attending the Crows' qualifying final against Collingwood on Thursday night.
Despite Rankine making a public apology on Tuesday night following his return from overseas, Adelaide are weighing up whether the star's possible presence at Adelaide Oval could create a distraction.
It is understood the Crows' senior players and leaders will meet to decide whether Rankine will be allowed to be at the blockbuster final, with security likely to be raised at the venue regardless.
The 25-year-old was suspended for four matches after making a homophobic slur toward a Collingwood player during a match last month.
MORE: Izak Rankine 'mental health' defence questioned by Jason Dunstall in homophobic slur case
"Adelaide still has absolutely no idea whether he will be at Adelaide Oval on Thursday," journalist Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy.
"My understanding is, the senior players will be canvassed by the Adelaide leaders on whether he detracts from their performance.
"The entire reason to jet him overseas was to avoid this distraction. And as you say, we’re 48 hours out (from their qualifying final), and that’s exactly what we’ve got.
"The club also wants to prioritise his mental health, so they won’t be ignorant of that one."
The only way Rankine's 2025 season won't be over is if Adelaide lose against Collingwood, and then go on to make the grand final.
Rankine's apology, which came from a prepared statement, was read at Adelaide Airport upon his arrival back in Australia.
"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," he said.
"I’m disappointed in myself and I know I’ve let a lot of people down. I want to apologise to anyone that I’ve hurt (or) offended.
"I understand that word is offensive, it’s harmful, it’s hurtful, it has no place in our game or our society.
"I am in no way a victim but going away has given me the space to reflect and educate myself to understand the weight of my mistake - and I’m fully committed to bettering myself in that area.
"In the next few days I will be standing in front of my teammates, the AFLW and apologising to them personally, as they deserve this at the very least.
"From here, all I can do is put my head down, work hard, support my teammates in the best way I can and show through my actions that I’m growing and learning from my mistake.
"More than anything I want this club to succeed, so I will be doing everything I can to gain everyone’s trust back and have a positive impact on society and my supporters."