Hunter product Isaac Heeney is among five Sydney Swans stars who have been stood down by the AFL club for the rest of the season, amid an ongoing police investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel early on Monday morning.
The five suspended players are Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, James Jordon, and Heeney. None will play in the AFL again this season.
Heeney, Warner, Bice, and Jordon were questioned by police on Monday morning over an alleged incident at the Pullman Hotel. It emerged that Victoria Police had attended the hotel, which is near the MCG, to investigate a report of sexual assault in the early hours of the morning.
The woman who raised the complaint completed a formal statement to Victoria Police on Tuesday. It has been alleged five players were in the hotel room when the woman claims an act of touching beyond what had been agreed then occurred.
Heeney, who is the Swans vice-captain, was the subject of the complaint. All five players denied any wrongdoing in a joint statement.
“We are deeply sorry to everyone involved. We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club,” they said in the statement from the Swans.
“We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners, and everyone at the club and the wider community. We accept the club sanction and apologise for the impact this has had on those involved.
“Our focus will now be on rebuilding trust with the club and the community.”
Swans Chief Executive Matthew Pavlich said the club was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed at the poor choices of five of our players, and the impact that’s had on the women involved, and also the club, our supporters, and so many other people.”
The AFL has backed the club’s sanctions, and has confirmed none of the players will be considered for next week’s All Australian squad either.
The club sanctions are separate from any ongoing investigations.
“We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this,” the club wrote Wednesday.
“The club believes the players are in serious breach of expected club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.
“The club also acknowledges that these serious allegations impact others and their wellbeing must be paramount.”
Victoria Police’s Sex Crimes Squad has told the media it will soon travel to Sydney to continue its investigations. The Weekly is not suggesting any of the Swans players have been accused of sexual assault, only that they continue to be linked to the investigation at the Pullman Hotel.
No players have been arrested or charged at time of writing.
1800RESPECT is the national, 24/7 service providing counselling, information, and support for domestic, family, and sexual violence. Contact them by calling 1800737732, texting 0458737732, or using the online chat and video services at 1800RESPECT.
In an emergency, always call 000.
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