Arabic version: عقوبات سوانز تجدد الجدل حول سياسة التحقيقات في دوري كرة القدم الأسترالي

According to ABC News, advocates have welcomed stronger statements from the Sydney Swans and the AFL after a report of an alleged sexual assault at an East Melbourne hotel. Victoria Police are investigating, and it is not suggested that four Swans players linked to the investigation are accused of sexual assault.

The Swans said Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice would not be considered for selection for the rest of the season. The club said its actions were independent of the police investigation. It had previously said players involved were in serious breach of expected club behaviour and standards, while adding that any sanction would relate solely to those alleged breaches.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon described the allegations as serious and deeply concerning, while saying the police process must be allowed to run its course. Respect Victoria chief executive Helen Bolton said the statements were clear and accountable, but said it was disappointing they took so long. She also called for a parallel AFL response while police inquiries continue.

The case has renewed scrutiny of the AFL’s Respect and Responsibility policy, which says an AFL investigation will wait until a police investigation has concluded. UNSW scholar and sports integrity expert Catherine Ordway described the approach as reactive and said players should be stood down while a police or AFL investigation takes place. Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said the organisation would support an AFL no-fault stand-down rule similar to the NRL’s policy.