PM lashes AFL over response to Swans scandal
Shayne Hope |
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has branded the AFL’s initial response to the Sydney Swans scandal “completely unacceptable” as a police investigation into a sexual assault allegation continues.
The Swans have suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon for the remainder of the season for “breaching club standards” at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel on Monday morning.
It was a decision club chairman Andrew Pridham said would “torpedo” the second-placed Swans’ premiership hopes, with just one home-and-away round left to play before the finals.
Independent of the AFL-endorsed club bans, the five suspended players are linked to the police investigation into sexual assault.
Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives have flown to Sydney to continue the investigation.
No charges have been laid and AAP is not suggesting any wrongdoing.
The Prime Minister weighed in on ABC’s 7.30 on Thursday night, lashing the AFL and the Swans over their handling of the scandal.
“It’s extraordinary that this has occurred,” he said.
“The idea that this is occurring is completely untenable, and the initial response as well was, I think, completely unacceptable.
“The NRL have a no-fault stand down clause for issues like this, but the first thoughts should have been always about women and their safety.
“I don’t think that occurred at this time. The AFL certainly needs to do better.”
A no-fault stand down policy similar to the NRL’s would not have been implemented in the Swans case because no police charges have been laid.
Swans coach Dean Cox briefly addressed media on Tuesday, saying he was “extremely disappointed with what’s happened”, but has not spoken publicly since the players’ suspensions were handed out.
That will change on Friday morning, when Cox and club captain Callum Mills take questions at a press conference.
Cox will also be quizzed on his own behaviour, having come under fire for not returning to the team hotel until after midnight on Monday morning.
Both Pridham and Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich have emphatically backed the second-year senior coach, saying it “wasn’t inappropriate” that some coaches and staff members went out after a pre-planned dinner on Sunday night.
Sydney AFLW coach Colin O’Riordan and captain Lucy McEvoy will hold a press conference following their AFL counterparts on Friday afternoon, amid concerns over the impact of the scandal on the Swans women’s team.
Warner’s younger brother Corey was among the eight inclusions in an extended 26-player Sydney squad named to take on North Melbourne at the SCG on Sunday.
The five suspended players are the only changes to the team that comfortably beat bottom side Essendon last Sunday.
Pavlich and Pridham faced media on Wednesday soon after the club suspensions were confirmed.
Pavlich said the club was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed at the poor choices of five of our players, and the impact that’s had on the women involved, and also the club, our supporters and so many other people.”
On Thursday, former co-captain Kieren Jack said Sydney’s famed “Bloods culture” felt “broken” in the wake of the allegations.
Jack said he was “devastated, disappointed and very troubled” by the alleged actions and a lack of respect for women could not be tolerated.
“‘Bloods culture’ is spoken about. This was built and maintained through a core pillar of respect,” Jack wrote on an Instagram story.
“Respect for each other, respect for the club, your family, the opponent, supporters and importantly, community.
“Right now this feels broken.”
AAP