Swans players set to be punished under AFL rules as police investigation continues

Key Sydney players are set to be charged by the AFL with bringing the game into disrepute and face suspension for multiple matches.

Two senior competition sources speaking on the condition of anonymity have confirmed to this masthead that the AFL will enact rule 2.3A, which prohibits conduct unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL, after the players returned to the team hotel in Melbourne in the early hours of Monday morning following a night of drinking.

The league’s action is separate to the Victoria Police investigation into an allegation of sexual assault at the Pullman in East Melbourne.

If the players are found to have broken an AFL rule, they can expect to be suspended for at least two matches, which would be unrelated to the police investigation.

The Swans and the AFL are expected to make a joint announcement in relation to the league’s response to the alleged incident, according to the sources, which could be as early as Tuesday but is more likely to be announced on Wednesday.

This masthead has contacted the representatives of Isaac Heeney, Riley Bice, James Jordon, Chad Warner and one other player after two senior industry sources said they were spoken to by police after an allegation of sexual assault in the early hours of Monday morning.

This masthead is not suggesting the players are under investigation by police, just that they are assisting with inquiries.

A manager representing a fifth player denied his client was one of the players involved.

No player has been arrested and the AFL’s disciplinary action does not make any finding in relation to the allegation that remains under investigation by detectives from Victoria Police’s Sexual Crimes Squad.

Instead, the AFL and the club have been examining the conduct of the players before and around the alleged incident, and whether their behaviour fell sufficiently below the standards expected of AFL footballers to warrant sanction under the league’s broad disrepute provisions.

The players are now facing the prospect of missing not only Sydney’s final home-and-away match against North Melbourne on Sunday, but at least part of the Swans’ finals campaign.

Sydney have already secured second position on the ladder and a home qualifying final. Any multi-game suspension would carry significant consequences for the club’s premiership aspirations.

The Swans were forced to remain in Melbourne on Sunday night because Sydney Airport’s curfew prevented the team from returning home following its convincing win over Essendon at the MCG.

Several players subsequently went out drinking before returning to the Pullman, where the team and its staff were staying.