Australian footballers will not be charged after hotel incident, police say
Victoria Police cites insufficient evidence after thorough investigation
Quick Look
- Victoria Police will not charge four AFL players investigated over an alleged sexual assault at Melbourne's Pullman Hotel in August, citing insufficient evidence after a thorough investigation and legal advice.
- Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, Chad Warner, and Nick Blakey were suspended for the rest of the season; a fifth player, Riley Bice, was already cleared.
- Three women, understood to be adult entertainers, alleged inappropriate touching and are reportedly considering civil action.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Four Sydney Swans players were suspended for the rest of the season over an incident at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne in August. A fifth player, Riley Bice, was also suspended but had already been cleared by police.
Four top Australian Football League (AFL) players who were investigated in relation to an alleged sexual assault at a hotel in Melbourne earlier this year will not be charged, police have said.
After a "thorough investigation and based on legal advice" police would not proceed with criminal charges due to "insufficient evidence", police said in a statement.
Four Sydney Swans players - Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, who now plays for North Melbourne - had been suspended for the rest of the season over the incident in August.
The men previously denied wrongdoing but apologised for breaching club standards by inviting women back to the hotel after a game and drinking.
Australian media reported that three women, understood to be adult entertainers, had alleged inappropriate touching during the incident at the Pullman Hotel and are reportedly looking into civil action.
"Due to the ongoing civil matter, Victoria Police is unable to make further comment," police said in a statement on Friday.
A fifth player, Riley Bice, who was also suspended by the club, had already been cleared by police.
Heeney welcomed the police announcement, saying the past three months had been "incredibly difficult for my family, [my fiancee] Steffie and those close to me".
"To my family and friends, your love and loyalty has meant more than words can do justice," he continued.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The three women may proceed with civil action against the players
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Whether the three women will proceed with civil action
- The specific details of the alleged inappropriate touching
- Whether the suspended players will face further club disciplinary action
