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Sydney Swans Ban 5 Players for Rest of AFL Season over Hotel Misconduct and a Police Investigation
The club said the bans were separate from a Victoria Police probe and could sideline the players for the rest of the season.
- On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the Sydney Swans suspended five players—Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, and James Jordon—for the remainder of the 2026 AFL Season, ruling them out of the finals series.
- Following a Sunday night incident at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel where players stayed out late and brought women to their rooms, Victoria Police launched an investigation into alleged sexual assault, prompting the club's disciplinary action.
- Sydney Swans president Andrew Pridham said the board accepted they had to "effectively torpedo our season," while CEO Matthew Pavlich stated the club was "deeply embarrassed and ashamed" by the players' poor choices.
- Despite Sydney securing second position on the ladder, the team must now compete without five key contributors during the finals campaign. Pridham offered a "sincere apology" to fans and corporate partners for the deep disappointment.
- Victoria Police continue investigating the incident with no charges laid, while AFL CEO Andrew Dillon called the allegations "deeply concerning" and confirmed the league is supportive of the club's independent sanctions.
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AFL players out following claims of sexual assault
Five Australian rules footballers have been banned for the remainder of the Australian Football League (AFL) season by the Sydney Swans for breaching player codes of conduct during a stay at a Melbourne hotel that has led to a police investigation into allegations of sexual assault.The Swans issued
·Taipei, Taiwan
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Associated Press News+19 Reposted by 19 other sources
Sydney Swans ban 5 players for rest of AFL season over hotel misconduct and a police investigation
Five Australian rules footballers have been banned for the rest of the AFL season by the Sydney Swans for breaching club standards during a stay at a Melbourne hotel that led to a police investigation into sexual assault allegations.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources51
Leaning Left19Leaning Right9Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
43% Left
L 43%
C 36%
R 21%
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