Five Sydney Swans players in the Australian Football League have been suspended for the remainder of the season after a night out following a match in Melbourne triggered a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault. The club said Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice breached its standards by drinking late and inviting women back to their hotel, though none of the players have been arrested or charged. The move is significant given Sydney's strong league position and includes two of the club's biggest stars, Heeney and Warner.

The alleged incident took place in the early hours of Monday morning at the Pullman Hotel, where the team was staying, and is being investigated by Victoria Police, who say they have spoken to several people but made no arrests or formal interviews. Club chairman Andrew Pridham apologised publicly, while chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club was "deeply embarrassed and ashamed" and concerned for the welfare of the women involved. Sydney currently sit second on the ladder and are due to play North Melbourne on Sunday before the finals begin, but will do so without the five suspended players. Unlike some other Australian sports, the AFL has no automatic stand-down policy for such allegations, leaving clubs to decide sanctions case by case.