SYDNEY (AP) \u2014 Five Australian rules footballers have been banned for the remainder of the AFL season by the Sydney Swans for breaching player codes of conduct during a stay at a Melbourne hotel that has led to a police investigation into allegations of sexual assault.<\/p>\n
The Swans issued a statement Wednesday saying \u201cRiley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 AFL Season,\u201d ruling them out of a regular-season game this weekend and the playoffs series.<\/p>\n
The Swans said the club-imposed sanctions were independent of an investigation by Victoria state police. No charges have been laid, and no player has been identified as being involved in an alleged sexual assault. <\/p>\n
Police were called to a hotel in East Melbourne early Monday when a woman made a complaint to staff there. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and the actions we have taken today are independent of this,\u201d the Swans statement said, adding that the Australian Football League \u201cis supportive of the club\u2019s sanctions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich told a news conference Wednesday the club sanctions were imposed for a series of postgame code of conduct breaches. Swans players were staying at the hotel after a game on Sunday because a commercial flight wouldn\u2019t have got the squad back to Sydney in time before an airport curfew.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was staying out late, it was drinking, it was continuing their night, it was bringing women back to the hotel,\u201d Pavlich said. Such behavior \u201cwas a long way short of what we expect of our players. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re holding them to a really high standard. But they were well short of anywhere near that standard.\u201d<\/p>\n
He declined to comment on any matters relating to the police investigation.<\/p>\n
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon earlier released a statement saying the allegations were \u201cdeeply concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the matter remains under police investigation, it raises broader issues for our game and our responsibilities as a sport,\u201d Dillon said. \u201cThe woman who made the report to police is entitled to privacy and care, and that should be respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
The competitive bans followed a club board meeting Tuesday night and interviews with the players involved. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behavior toward women,\u201d the Swans said in a statement ahead of the board meeting. \u201cAny conduct that causes offense or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham apologized for the actions of the players and said there was deep disappointment within the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo effectively torpedo our season by making a decision such as this tells you how seriously we\u2019ve taken it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n