Banned Swans players say they are deeply sorry
Banned Sydney Swans players have apologised for their behaviour amid new media allegations about topless waitresses and drugs on the night in question.
Source: ABC Sport
Five banned Sydney Swans players, who have not been formally interviewed by police or charged, released a joint statement of apology on Wednesday night.
AFL players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, as well as Riley Bice and James Jordon, are suspended for the rest of the season in a bombshell sanction by the club.
They are linked to a police investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel on Monday morning.
“We are deeply sorry to everyone involved,” they said in the statement released by the Swans.
“We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.
“We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners and everyone at the club and the wider community.
“We accept the club sanction and apologise for the impact this has had on those involved. Our focus will now be on rebuilding trust with the club and the community.”
Earlier, Swans hierarchy stressed the players were suspended for breaching club standards, and independently of the police investigation.
“The only way we can deal with it is to put our foot down incredibly hard, which we’ve done,” club chairman Andrew Pridham said.
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“To effectively torpedo our season by making a decision, it just tells you how serious we’re taking it.”
The apology came new alleged details involving topless waitresses and alleged drug use emerged
Seven News journalist Tom Morris said three topless waitresses from Party Girls Melbourne were booked for $210 each, plus tips for extra services and a deposit. They reportedly arrived at the Pullman at 5.30am for a two-hour booking.
Morris also amde allegations of illicit drug use — including that “multiple players … were taking cocaine”.
Sydney Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich. Photo: AAP
Earlier, Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed at the poor choices of five of our players, and the impact that’s had on the women involved, and also the club, our supporters and so many other people”.
“It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was continuing their night, it was bringing women back to the hotel,” he said.
The Swans didn’t drug test the five players.
“That’s potentially part of the police matter,” Pavlich said.
He refused to say if he expected charges to be laid.
Victoria Police, which confirmed on Tuesday that its sexual crimes squad was investigating, declined any further comment on Wednesday.
Pridham said the club had farewelled its premiership chances after banning the five players.
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Sydney, with one home-and-away game remaining in the men’s AFL season, has locked up second spot on the ladder. It is guaranteed two home finals.
Vice-captain Heeney, Warner and Blakey are among Sydney’s best players and were in All Australian contention.
But the AFL has ruled all five players out of selection for the ceremonial team, and described their suspensions as “appropriate”.
Pavlich hoped there would be no sponsor backlash. But Heeney, the face of the AFL in the city of Sydney, and the high-profile Warner have been stood down as ambassadors for Telstra.
The five players would be invited back to the club at an appropriate time but their teammates were “incredibly disappointed” in their behaviour, Pavlich said.
He and Pridham emphatically backed Swans coach Dean Cox, who returned to the Melbourne hotel after midnight.
“The staff, coaches, physios, doctors, commercial staff, media people, had a pre-planned get together,” Pavlich said.
“They … had some dinner, and then went out. It wasn’t inappropriate what they did.”
The Swans host North Melbourne on Sunday, after its women’s team meets Essendon in a double-header at the SCG.
Pavlich said the Swans’ AFLW players were “deeply disappointed” by the controversy, which has shocked Governor-General Sam Moystn — a former Swans board member and the first female AFL commissioner.
“My thoughts remain with the alleged sexual assault victim and I hope she is very well supported,” Moystn told the ABC.
“I am also devastated for the women of the Swans … and women across the industry who have been hurt by this incident.”
1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
-with AAP
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