The Sydney Swans have suspended five players for the remainder of the season following a late-night incident at a Melbourne hotel. Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon, and Riley Bice were stood down after breaching club standards by drinking alcohol later than permitted and inviting women to their hotel. This decision comes amidst an ongoing police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel, where the players were staying after a match.
The club announced the suspensions on Wednesday, with the players issuing a joint apology. They stated, “We are deeply sorry to everyone involved. We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners and everyone at the Club and in the wider community.” The players also confirmed their acceptance of the club’s sanction and apologised for the impact their actions have had.
Club addresses incident and investigation
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham also issued an apology to fans, players, and the broader community. He explained that the sanctions were imposed due to the players’ breach of club standards regarding alcohol consumption and bringing women to the hotel. The club emphasised that their actions are independent of the ongoing investigation by Victoria Police, which the AFL supports.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich expressed the club’s deep embarrassment and shame regarding the players’ choices. He highlighted the impact on the women involved and the club, stating concern for the well-being of all parties. Pavlich declined to comment on whether any players had undergone drug testing, indicating that such testing would be part of the police inquiry.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police confirmed that officers have spoken with several individuals present at the Pullman Hotel. However, no formal interviews or arrests have been made in connection with the alleged sexual assault. The players themselves have not been arrested or charged, and it is not suggested that any of them are accused of sexual assault.
Impact on the team and wider community
The suspensions are a significant blow to the Sydney Swans, who have had a dominant season. The team currently holds second place on the ladder, securing them a spot in the qualifying and elimination finals, which are set to begin in two weeks. The club is scheduled to play against North Melbourne at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, marking their final fixture before the finals.
Heeney and Warner, two of the sport’s prominent players, are among those stood down. The AFL handles cases of alleged serious offences on a discretionary, case-by-case basis, differing from some other Australian sports that have strict no-fault stand-down policies.
John Longmire, the Swans‘ longest-serving coach and current executive director of club performance, described his reaction to the situation as “incredible deep sadness.” He noted that the club’s “football aspirations weren’t part of the discussions” when deciding on the suspensions, with “people issues” being the primary focus. Longmire acknowledged the “flattening” effect on many people and the challenge of moving forward.
He also commented on the damage to the club’s culture, stating it has “taken a big hit” and will require time to rebuild trust. The coach, who led Sydney to their most recent premiership in 2012, expressed a mix of shock, disappointment, and anger, while also emphasising care for the individuals involved.
In a related development, Readings Books and Gleebooks have removed Heeney‘s children’s book series, Little Isaac Footy Fever, from sale. This follows Allen & Unwin‘s removal of promotions for the books from their Instagram. Booktopia stated they would continue to stock the book while assessing the situation, working closely with the publisher regarding their plans.
The Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives are expected to travel to Sydney to continue their investigations.
Source: bbc.com
