Sydney Swans players will not face charges over hotel sexual assault investigation, police say

Four players of the Australian Football League (AFL) who were under scrutiny over an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel will not face any charges due to insufficient evidence.Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Nick Blakey – the Sydney Swans players – were under investigation since late August by Victoria police over the alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel.One of the women at the centre of allegations against the players has been left devastated by the outcome, her lawyer said.“Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence,” a police statement read. “Due to the ongoing civil matter, Victoria Police is unable to make further comment.”Some adult entertainers were believed to have joined the players at the hotel after being hired following the Swans' win against Essendon on 17 August.Police previously said that three women, believed to be adult entertainers, alleged inappropriate touching during the incident in the early hours of that day. At least one woman was seen leaving the hotel room in a distressed state with a call made to the emergency Triple Zero line soon after.The four players, along with teammate Riley Bice, were suspended by the Swans for breaching the club’s standards, including drinking and bringing women back to their hotel after the game.The players have denied any wrongdoing but apologised for breaching club standards by inviting women back to the hotel after a game and drinking.Slater and Gordon senior lawyer Jackson Pannam, the firm representing one of the women who reported the alleged sexual assault, said the decision not to charge the men did not mean the alleged acts did not happen.“Our client is devastated by this outcome,” Mr Pannam said. “She reported the incident immediately, provided a formal statement and cooperated fully with the investigation. She has shown enormous courage in coming forward.“The absence of criminal charges does not prevent a civil claim from proceeding. This outcome also sits within broader patterns of underreporting and attrition in sexual offence matters.”John Karantzis from Carbone Lawyers who is representing two other women, said their clients were "very disappointed and distressed" over the outcome."My clients' civil claim is based on a different burden of proof, it is based on the balance of probabilities," he said."We will vigorously pursue this claim."Sydney Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich addressed a press conference on Friday, saying it was a difficult period for everyone involved and affected by the hotel incident."We appreciate and understand that everyone has been dealing with it in their own way, and we thank them for their support during that time," he said."We've been in constant contact with the players through the whole process."Today's a moment for them to move forward. It's a time for everyone to move forward, and at some point, they'll be back here at training, back with their teammates, and that's going to be an important step."Sydney Swans management said they stand by their decision to expel the player. It is "because their conduct fell short of the standards of behaviour expected at the club"."The club was clear from the outset that this decision was separate from the police investigation, and it stands by that decision."The club has commenced a comprehensive examination of its AFL program and is committed to acting on the findings and implementing meaningful change to build an environment that players, staff, members, supporters and corporate partners can be proud of," the statement said.Mr Blakey last month joined North Melbourne football club and apologised for "the events that led up to my exit from Sydney"."I know I have to win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise," he said at the time.