St Kilda have fined their small forward Stephen Milne $3000 after an investigation found he had made a homophobic remark against Collingwood’s Harry O’Brien.

“It has been confirmed that Milne made an inappropriate homophobic comment towards O’Brien during the course of play in last weekend’s round 19 match at the MCG which has breached the AFL Players’ Code of Conduct and the AFL’s Policy on Discrimination and Vilification,” the Saints said in a statement on Thursday night.

“As a consequence of this breach, Milne will be sanctioned $3000 by the St Kilda FC and be required to undertake an AFL Education Program to address the inappropriate nature of his comments.”

Milne has apologised for his comments and any offence caused, the Saints said.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said O’Brien wasn’t affected by the remark by Milne.

“Harry straight after the game wanted nothing to do with it (making any complaint),” Buckley told Radio 3AW on Thursday night.

“He wasn’t offended. He wasn’t affected by it.

“Our understanding is it’s not vilification unless the person receiving the comments is concerned by it.

“I think we’re all concerned by the slur itself and the fact it gets out in the open forum because people are going to be offended when a comment like that gets out in the open forum.

“But for Harry’s part it didn’t affect him on the night.”