The Sydney Swans AFL club will decide on sanctions for players for “serious breach” of standards over an incident that led to a report of sexual assault. Victorian police on Tuesday confirmed the sexual crimes squad was investigating a reported sexual assault at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel early on Monday morning. No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid.
The Swans said the club had interviewed the players involved and its board would meet on Tuesday night to agree on penalties. The club did not name the players. The board’s decision is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The club said its actions would be independent of the ongoing police investigation and additional sanctions or decisions relating to police findings would wait until the investigation concluded. In the meantime, the club said it would “provide the appropriate support” to players, and their partners and families. The AFL’s chief executive, Andrew Dillon, said the league was ready to act on the “deeply concerning” allegations in a statement earlier on Tuesday evening.
The Swans said they acknowledged the allegations impacted people other than the players, adding: “their wellbeing must be paramount”. AFLW athletes and staff were being offered support and their welfare was of “utmost importance,” the Swans said. The AFL has the power to stand down players if they are accused of illegal behaviour.
No players have been stood down. Swans coach Dean Cox earlier on Tuesday said there would be updates “where we get more information”, when asked if there would be sanctions against any players. Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice were reportedly questioned by detectives in relation to the alleged incident.
There is no confirmation they were directly involved. The four players reportedly returned to the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning after drinking, following the victory over Essendon at the MCG that secured the Swans a home final. The Swans play North Melbourne at the SCG on Sunday.
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