Source : Perth Now news
Player sanctions and penalties are expected to be handed down by the Sydney Swans Club Board on Tuesday following the reveal Victoria Police were investigating “reports of a sexual assault” at a Melbourne hotel on Monday.
On Tuesday night police said detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad were investigating “a report of a sexual assault in East Melbourne on August 17”.
“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of the morning. The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing,” police said.
“Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel, however no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time.”
The five players spoken to by police were Chad Warner, James Jordon, Riley Bice, Nick Blakey and Isaac Heeney.
On Tuesday night, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the allegations were “serious” and “deeply concerning”.
“The woman who made the report to police is entitled to privacy and care, and that should be respected,” Mr Dillon said.
“It is important that the police process is allowed to run its course. Sexual assault allegations are serious, regardless of who is involved, what time of year it is or what that may mean for a season.”
Mr Dillon said speculation around the incident’s potential impact on the club or the competition should never be “the first question”.
“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,” he said.
“As a sport, and as an industry, we are clear about the standards we expect and the values we stand for and the need to uphold them.”
Swans head coach Dean Cox and a number of players including captain Callum Mills were badgered by a large group of reporters and cameras camped outside of Swans HQ as they trickled in for training on Tuesday morning.
In response to barrages of questions, the players and their coach gave little away about the outlook for their teammates.
