The Sydney Swans have confirmed that several players were allegedly involved in an incident as Victoria Police begin investigations into a “report of a sexual assault”.
The alleged incident reportedly took place at the Pullman hotel in East Melbourne — the venue the Swans were staying at across the weekend — which is located close to the MCG where the Swans defeated Essendon by 36 points on Sunday night.
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“The Sydney Swans can confirm several players were involved in an alleged incident in Melbourne last night,” a Swans statement read.
“The Swans have notified the AFL and relevant authorities and cannot provide further comment at this stage.”
Victoria Police released a statement on Monday afternoon, saying they were “investigating a report of a sexual assault” in East Melbourne on Monday.
“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of the morning,” the police statement read.
“The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”
SEN reporter Sam Edmund on Monday wrote on X that Sydney players had “been summoned to a meeting” at lunchtime.
News of the alleged incident was first broken by Herald Sun chief football writer and Fox Footy’s First Crack host Jay Clark for CODE Sports.
Clark reported “as many as eight” plain clothes and uniform police were seen moving through the Pullman lobby and accessing hotel rooms on Monday.
7News Melbourne journalist Tom Morris suggested on X there was “a big story developing which could rock Sydney’s season”
Morris reported three women were seen in the foyer of the hotel at around 7.30am on Monday morning. They were reportedly “confronting Sydney staff, including (coach) Dean Cox at one point”, according to Morris, who added witnesses said Cox looked “shocked by the scene”.
Morris reported the club was “aware of details, which are believed to be sensitive and potentially very damaging to star players”.
The Swans’ victory over Essendon cemented them into second spot ahead of September, guaranteeing them two home finals at the SCG.
