A man has been formally charged following accusations of sending threatening messages to AFL star Izak Rankine, according to law enforcement sources.

Authorities claim that Rankine, who plays for the Adelaide Crows, was targeted with a series of five menacing messages over social media on September 8. The incident prompted Rankine to alert the police, initiating an extensive investigation into the matter.

After months of thorough investigation, cybercrime detectives took decisive action, arresting a 31-year-old individual. The suspect, identified as a resident of Kensington Gardens in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, faces charges related to the misuse of a communication service in an offensive manner.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing cyber threats and highlights the importance of vigilance and swift action by authorities in protecting public figures from online harassment.

The man, from Kensington Gardens in Adelaide’s east, was charged with using a carriage service in an offensive manner.

He has been bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 30.

The messages were allegedly sent four days after the Crows lost to Collingwood in this year’s qualifying final.

The star forward received a four-match suspension as a result of the incident, ruling him out of the Crows’ finals campaign.

The Adelaide Football Club has since shed further light on the situation, claiming two of its players were subject to “direct and significant threats on a social media platform”.

“Subsequently, reports were made to South Australia Police in September which prompted investigations,” the club said in a statement.

The AFL integrity unit has also been informed.