The Sydney Swans are expected to announce sanctions for players who allegedly breached club standards and behaviors at a Melbourne hotel, following a board meeting Tuesday night.
Victoria Police are continuing their investigation into allegations of sexual assault stemming from an incident early Monday morning at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne. The Swans board convened to discuss the matter, with players reportedly speaking with club officials earlier on Tuesday.
Seven News reported that sanctioned players are anticipated to receive two-match bans, though suspensions could be longer. The Swans plan to present any penalties to the Australian Football League (AFL) for approval. A club media release indicated that disciplinary actions are likely, stating the players were in serious breach of expected club behavior and standards.
"We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this," the Swans said in their statement. "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."
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also released a statement Tuesday night, emphasizing the seriousness of sexual assault allegations and calling for greater respect for the privacy of the woman who made the report to police. He addressed commentary that focused on the potential impact on the Swans' season, stating that the primary concern should be upholding standards.
"Sexual assault allegations are serious, regardless of who is involved, what time of year it is, or what they may mean for a season," Dillon said. "Our first question should not be what this means for a football club. It should be whether our actions match the standards we stand for and the community expects of us."
Victoria Police confirmed they attended the Pullman Hotel and are investigating a report of sexual assault. The Swans had stayed at the hotel Sunday night after their match against Essendon, a win that secured them second place on the ladder with one regular-season game remaining before the finals.
Media reports have named Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, and Riley Bice as the players involved in the inquiry. This article does not suggest these players are under investigation or involved in any wrongdoing, only that they spoke with police regarding the alleged incident.
