Sydney coach Dean Cox gives statement to police as investigation into alleged sexual assault continues

Sydney coach Dean Cox is one of four Swans officials to have given statements to Victoria Police as the investigation into the alleged sexual assault continues.

The Swans have suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the rest of the season for breaching club standards.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Suspended Swans banned from Brownlow amid assault probe

The penalties were endorsed by the AFL before being handed out last week. They were also independent of the police investigation that is ongoing.

The players involved in the alleged incident have yet to be formally interviewed by police.

7NEWS does not suggest that any of the players were involved in any untoward behaviour, but that there are allegations of sexual misconduct.

Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson revealed Cox, head of football Leon Cameron, welfare boss Brett Kirk and media manager Tom Chadwick all spoke to police in recent days.

“We can tell you that Dean Cox is one of four Sydney Swans officials who have now given statements to the police as a result of what went on at the Pullman Hotel last week,” Wilson said on 7NEWS.

“Leon Cameron - the head of football, Tom Chadwick - the media, the corporate communications boss, and Brett Kirk - the welfare boss, are the other three.

“Police flew to Sydney late last week and all four gave their version of events as to what took place after the event.

“We repeat that none of them were involved in the incident. None of them were in the room at the time, but were later on down in the foyer, early in the morning to head back to Sydney, and three of the four were part of the contingent that drove the five players back to Sydney.

“The Swans haven’t ruled out other officials being interviewed. The players still have not.”

Meanwhile, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has spoken publicly about the allegations for the first time, denying the league has a culture problem while saying respect for women is not negotiable.

The AFL chief executive started his speech at Monday’s launch of the finals series in Melbourne with a strongly-worded statement.