Sydney Swans suspend five players over hotel conduct

The Sydney Swans suspended five players for the rest of the Australian Football League season after club executives said they stayed out late, drank and brought women back to a Melbourne hotel after a match.

The club named the suspended players as Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner. They will not be considered for selection for the rest of the AFL season, which ends in late September.

Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said Wednesday the behaviour fell short of club standards. He said it involved “staying out late”, drinking and bringing women back to the hotel.

Club officials said the sanctions were unrelated to allegations of sexual assault in the early hours of Monday at the Melbourne hotel. None of the five suspended players has been accused of involvement in the alleged sexual assault.

Victoria Police said they were investigating an alleged sexual assault at the hotel. Police said the exact circumstances had not been established, the investigation was ongoing, and no one had been arrested or formally interviewed at that time.

The Swans, who are second on the AFL ladder, defeated Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham called the suspensions a “very sad day” for the club and said the players were remorseful.