CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses alleged sexual assault.
Sydney Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice reportedly spoke to Victoria Police after a report of sexual assault in an East Melbourne hotel.
In a statement released on Monday, the Swans said “several players were involved in an alleged incident in Melbourne” after the team’s win over Essendon at the MCG on Sunday night.
“The Swans have notified the AFL and relevant authorities and cannot provide any further comment at this stage,” the club said.
Victoria Police are investigating an alleged report of sexual assault at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of Monday morning.
“The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing,” a police statement from Tuesday read. “Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel, however no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time.”
The Age reported it was Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Bice and one other player, who has denied involvement, who were spoken to by police.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has reached out to representatives of Heeney, Warner, Jordon, Bice for comment.
PEDESTRIAN.TV does not suggest the players were under investigation and no players have been arrested or charged.
Caroline Wilson, a journalist from Seven News, said the players had given their interviews to police voluntarily, and were travelling back to Sydney by car on Monday.
“[The players] spoke and were interviewed by police today and I now understand are making their way back to Sydney from Melbourne,” Wilson said on Seven News.
The Swans were staying at the Pullman East Melbourne, just down the road from the MCG, on the night of the alleged sexual assault.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich fronted the media in Sydney yesterday afternoon and said there were limited remarks the club could make while the incident was under police investigation.
“We’re still piecing together exactly what’s transpired here and have our own set of internal inquiries ongoing,” he said.
“It’s safe to say that we’re extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place and that the players have found themselves in this situation.”
The club is reportedly weighing up whether it should stand down any of its players and the AFL has been notified while making its own inquiries. The Swans are set to play North Melbourne at the SCG this weekend as they prepare for the start of the finals.
Swans coach Dean Cox also commented on the matter outside the club’s training facility in Sydney this morning.
“Yeah, obviously extremely disappointed with what’s happened and understand the questions and we’ll update as we get more information,” Cox said.
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