A Labor MP has doubled down on criticism of the Sydney Swans\u2019 handling of sexual assault allegations, saying the club\u2019s initial language \u201cminimised\u201d the wellbeing of the alleged victims. <\/p>\n
Players Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner were stood down this week for breaching the club\u2019s standards on drinking and staying out late after last Sunday\u2019s win against Essendon in Melbourne. <\/p>\n
The Swans will face their fans at home at the SCG on Sunday afternoon in their first game since the scandal broke last Monday in a historic double-header with the club\u2019s AFLW team.<\/p>\n
Sydney is second on the ladder and has secured two home finals, but many angry fans are threatening to walk out after the AFLW game.<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s actions in banning the five players from playing for the rest of the year is separate to the police investigation. <\/p>\n
Victoria Police have confirmed its sexual crimes squad is investigating \u201creports of a sexual assault\u201d at the Pullman Hotel on Monday. <\/p>\n
The club said on Saturday none of its players had been formally interviewed by police.<\/p>\n
NewsWire does not suggest that any of the named players are being accused of sexual assault.<\/p>\n
Remarks made by the club earlier in the week sparked backlash from advocates for centring the players, their careers and the upcoming AFL final, instead of the alleged victim in their language. <\/p>\n
\u2018Sydney, Sydney\u2019<\/p>\n
A week mired in scandal for the Sydney Swans did not deter many fans who lined up before gates opened, to get priority seats in the Ladies and Members stand, primarily, for the inaugural AFLW\/AFL double header.<\/p>\n
Fans decked proudly in their red and white steadily streamed through the famous gates giving some hope that breaking the Swans\u2019 record AFLW crowd of 8264 may be possible, despite the headlines that plagued the lead-up. <\/p>\n
By the early stages of the first quarter, the crowd had grown significantly from the hundreds into the thousands with large pockets of supporters, scattered across the ground, who also found their voice in support of their girls chanting \u201cSydney, Sydney\u201d.<\/p>\n
The AFLW side entered the SCG to the loud cheers of a small but vocal crowd with fans creating a guard of honour for their heroes before they proceeded through the banner.<\/p>\n
Before the game, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham addressed the club\u2019s official AFLW function, apologising again and promising a review into the club\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not excuse their behaviour. We do not ignore the impact it has had on so many people \u2013 and in particular women,\u201d Pridham said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut we will seek to learn, to get better, to do better and show forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swans\u2019 initial response criticised<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Labor MP Josh Burns became the latest politician to call out the Swans\u2019 initial response <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, chief executive Matthew Pavlich and chair Andrew Pridham fronted the media. <\/p>\n
Pridham initially noted the impact on the football side was not considered by the board when it met on Tuesday night to decide the sanction.<\/p>\n
However, he later emphasised the club\u2019s disappointment and concern by pointing out its willingness \u201cto effectively torpedo our season\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Burns said \u201cthe primary concern for everyone\u201d should be the welfare of the women at the centre of the allegations. <\/p>\n
He said the AFL was a \u201cvery powerful\u201d institution which had the responsibility and the influence to \u201cset culture\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe culture from the AFL feeds into community sport. It feeds into the national conversation,\u201d Mr Burns said on Sunday. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt feeds into the way and the attitudes of men and boys right around the country. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo the focus of everyone from the very moment that these shocking allegations came forward \u2026 needs to be on ensuring that women and girls are safe, not the football finals, not minimising it with language, not minimising it with \u2026 the sorts of conversation and the sorts of statements we\u2019ve seen, but actually making it clear that the culture and the views of people at the top are ones of zero tolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Burns pointed to a \u201ccorrection\u201d made by the Swans in its language around the alleged sexual assault but said he would not \u201ccongratulate\u201d the club for \u201crealising the focus \u2026 should have been on the alleged victims, not footy finals or footy games\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe work that we all need to do is ensure that those who are in positions of leadership and power set the culture and the tone to make sure that we are all focusing on what\u2019s appropriate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Swans team coach Dean Cox and captain Callum Mills issued an apology, saying their thoughts remained \u201cwith everyone affected, particularly the women involved\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll women deserve to feel safe and respected,\u201d they said. <\/p>\n
More to come<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Labor MP has doubled down on criticism of the Sydney Swans\u2019 handling of sexual assault allegations, 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