Arabic version: لونغمير يعبّر عن حزنه إزاء التحقيق المتعلق بسوانز

According to ABC News, former Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has described the club’s current situation as one of “incredible deep sadness” after five players were suspended for the rest of the season. Longmire, now the club’s executive director of club performance, said the outcome was “flattening” for those involved.

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon are linked to a Victoria Police investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel on Monday morning. Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives are expected to travel to Sydney to continue their inquiries. The players have not been formally interviewed or charged, and it is not suggested that any of them are accused of sexual assault.

The Swans said the suspensions concerned the players continuing to drink late into the night and bringing women to their hotel. The five players apologised in a joint statement, saying they were “deeply sorry to everyone involved” and that their behaviour had fallen short of the standards and values expected by the club. They said they accepted the sanction and apologised for its impact.

Longmire said football considerations were not central when the club decided on its response. “Football aspirations weren’t part of the discussions,” he said, adding that people issues were at the forefront. Sydney are second on the ladder with one home-and-away match remaining and are assured of hosting two finals. Longmire said the club’s culture had taken “a big hit” and rebuilding trust would take time.

Readings Books and Gleebooks have confirmed they removed Heeney’s children’s book series, Little Isaac Footy Fever, from sale after publisher Allen & Unwin removed promotions from its Instagram grid. Booktopia said it would continue to stock the book while assessing the situation with the publisher.