Five Sydney Swans athletes are banned for the season amid police investigation of a sexual assault claim at a Melbourne hotel.
The players – Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice – were stood down by the club after the incident was noted by police detectives. No arrests or formal charges have been made, but the investigation is ongoing.
Club chairman Andrew Pridham issued an apology to fans and the wider community, explaining that the sanctions were imposed because the players breached team standards by drinking late into the night and bringing women to the hotel. He emphasised that these disciplinary measures are independent of the police inquiry.
Athletes’ chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club was deeply embarrassed and concerned about the welfare of the women involved, and that no drug testing had taken place outside the scope of the police work.
The AFL confirmed its support for the Swans’ decision, noting that the league typically handles accusations on a case‑by‑case basis since it lacks a strict no‑fault stand‑down policy. The game against North Melbourne at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday will be the last pre‑final fixture the club will play.
