Four Sydney Swans Footballers Will Not Be Charged After Melbourne Hotel Incident, Police Say
Four top Australian Football League (AFL) players who were investigated in relation to an alleged sexual assault at a hotel in Melbourne will not be charged, police have said.
After a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, police would not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence, police said in a statement.
The four Sydney Swans players are Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, who now plays for North Melbourne.
The four had been suspended for the rest of the season over the incident in August.
The men previously denied wrongdoing but apologised for breaching club standards by inviting women back to the hotel after a game and drinking.
Australian media reported that three women, understood to be adult entertainers, had alleged inappropriate touching during the incident at the Pullman Hotel and are reportedly looking into civil action.
Victoria Police said in a statement that due to the ongoing civil matter, it is unable to make further comment.
A fifth player, Riley Bice, who was also suspended by the club, had already been cleared by police.
Heeney welcomed the police announcement, saying the past three months had been incredibly difficult for his family, his fiancee Steffie and those close to him. He said his family and friends' love and loyalty meant more than words could do justice to.
