Mon, August 24, 2026
CEO of AFL speaks out about suspended Sydney Swans players involved in an allegation of sexual assault and breaches of club standards
During the launch of the men’s Australian Football League (AFL) finals series and first ever wildcard round, expanding the finals from 8 teams to 10, CEO of the AFL, Andrew Dillon, spoke out about the suspended Sydney Swans players involved in an allegation of sexual assault and breaches of club standards.
The players accused are former Vice President, Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon. These players have been accused of drinking late into the night, possible drug use and bringing women back to their hotel, breaching club rules, but most seriously, there is an allegation that a player touched one of the women without consent at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne during the early hours of Monday, 17 August 2026, where the Swans were staying after their win over Essendon on the Sunday night. This is being investigated separately from the league by Victoria’s sexual crimes squad.
Chief Executive of the Sydney Swans, Matthew Pavlich, reportedly said that the drug testing of the players would be undertaken by the police, but since they were not “doing an activity where it is illegal to be under the influence,” a senior police source reportedly accused him of trying to protect the club: “To say it's part of the police investigation, it's definitely not. They [the Swans] are just protecting themselves,” as reported by ABC Sport.
Since the incident, Dillon has spoken out to express: “The actions of a few do not take away from the thousands of people involved in football at all different levels who do great things all the time…
But what we do know is that we can do things better and we will continue to do that and we will continue to learn to be better…
I think the actions of a few don't define the actions of the entire industry.”
Dillon voiced that the suspended players will not be allowed to attend the Brownlow Medal Ceremony, which is the annual AFL event where the Brownlow medal is awarded to the league’s fairest and best player of the season. However, they reportedly remain eligible for the award. Furthermore, the league will not be investigating until Victoria police’s investigation has concluded.
When the alleged incident was first revealed, the league stated: “Following the decision and appropriate club sanction imposed by the Sydney Swans today in relation to the conduct of five of their players, the AFL has determined those players will not be considered for selection in the 2026 All Australian squad…This decision is independent of the ongoing Victoria Police investigation.”
Swans chairman, Andrew Pridham, voiced: “I know the five players involved, they're extremely remorseful for their actions in breaching the club's standards, and I think the sanction we've imposed and the impact that will have on our football season is clear for all to see…
It's very important to note the football outcome was not a consideration of the board.”
However, Pavlich stated that they will be allowed back at the football club during the season: “We're not abandoning our players…We are supporting our players through this really challenging time for them.”
Additionally, following rumours that others, not just the 5 accused players, may have been involved in the alleged assault, Syndey Swans clarified: “The Sydney Swans categorically confirms that no member of staff is involved in the investigation. This includes being in the hotel room central to the police investigation…
The club reiterates that no player has been interviewed by police at this stage.”
