Aussie rules football rocked by 'lap dancer' scandal: Five players suspended for 'bringing women to hotel at 4am' before sex assault claim

The world of Australian Rules football has been rocked by scandal after five players were suspended from their team following reports they took exotic dancers back to their hotel after a night out and a sexual assault allegation was made. Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner - who all play for the Sydney Swans - have all been suspended from their club, after it found they breached its standards by staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel over the weekend. They have been suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season of the AFL - the top league of Australian Rules football. The suspensions are separate from a Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel, which is said to have taken place in the early hours of Monday morning. A News Corp report alleges lap dancers arrived at the Pullman at around 4am for private sessions with the players.The players had earlier been out drinking, with some reportedly returning to the hotel at about 2.15am. Several hours later, at about 7am, two women were seen in a shared area of the hotel approaching staff and demanding access to guest rooms, according to witnesses.One of the women was overheard telling hotel staff she had been 'touched' and had felt overwhelmed while surrounded by several men in a room.A witness said one of the women appeared 'hysterical' and 'upset' and later ran into the hotel toilets crying before police were called. Nick Blakey has been named as the fifth player stood down Chad Warner was questioned by police over the allegations. He is pictured with his girlfriend Alice Hughes Isaac Heeney was questioned by police over the allegations. He is pictured here with his fiancee Steffanie Waters James Jordan was questioned by police over the allegations. He is pictured here with his partner Emily Twycross Riley Bice (pictured) was one of the suspended sportsmen 'We have everything recorded,' one of the women was reported telling hotel staff.Victoria Police subsequently attended the hotel and confirmed officers were investigating a report of sexual assault. The players have since released a joint statement on the matter, writing: 'We are deeply sorry to everyone involved. We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.'We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners and everyone at the club and the wider community.'We accept the club sanction and apologise for the impact this has had on those involved. Our focus will now be on rebuilding trust with the club and the community.' The Daily Mail does not suggest any of the players are under investigation or involved in any wrongdoing, just that they spoke to police about the alleged incident. Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the five players were sanctioned for staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the team hotel in Melbourne.'It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was to continue their night,' Pavlich said.'It was bringing women back to the hotel. It was a long way short of what we expect of our players.'And we're holding them to a really high standard. But they were well short of anywhere near that standard.'We're not abandoning our players. We are supporting our players through this really challenging time for them,' he said. Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham (right) said it was a sad day for the club Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the rest of the 2026 season, the club announced on Wednesday Sydney Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich (pictured) said the players were sanctioned for staying out late, drinking, and bringing women back to the team hotel in Melbourne 'Just to be clear - they will not be considered for AFL selection for the remainder of the season, including finals. But they will be allowed back at the football club.'Pavlich also addressed why Swans coach Dean Cox was also out late that night.'The staff - coaches, physios, doctors, commercial staff, media people - had a get-together, pre-planned get together,' he said.'They all finished the game quite late. They all got back to the hotel quite late, had some dinner, and then went out.'It wasn't inappropriate, what they did. No issue at all with them.'All I can say is that this football club's had a wonderful, rich, strong culture. But we've got a long way back here to rebuild the trust of our fans, our commercial partners, our sponsors, and the people that love the Sydney Swans.'Swans chair Andrew Pridham said it was a sad day for the club.'I want to offer a sincere apology to the community, our fans and members, our corporate partners who have been amazingly supportive of us, understanding we are trying to deal with this matter as quickly as we can, as honestly as we can,' he says.'Our thoughts go out to everybody who has been impacted by these events, and we know it has impacted many, many people, ranging from the partners of our staff, our players.'There is deep disappointment in the club and we know that people are hurting.'Hopefully people can see how seriously we have taken this matter. We are very proud of the culture we have built over many many years at this club. We get more right than we get wrong.'I know the five players involved, they are extremely remorseful for their actions and having breached the club standards.'The five players reportedly drove back to Sydney on Monday night to avoid media at the airport.