The Albany Gazette - Aussie Rules club suspends five players for drinking, bringing women to hotel

Swans senior executives said they imposed the sanctions for behaviour that breached the club's "high standards".

The club's action was unrelated to allegations of sexual assault in the early hours of Monday at the Melbourne hotel where players were reportedly staying after a game the previous day, they said.

The five players will not be considered for selection for the rest of the Australian Football League season, which closes in late September.

The suspended players were Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner -- none of whom has been accused of involvement in the alleged sexual assault.

"It was staying out late. It was drinking. It was continuing to continue their night. It was bringing women back to the hotel," Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich told reporters when asked why they were being sanctioned.

"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."

The team, currently second on the ladder, defeated Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

"We are deeply disappointed with the players' behaviour, but at the same time, yes, we are expressing our concerns deeply for the women involved," Pavlich said.

Victoria Police said they were investigating an alleged sexual assault at the Melbourne hotel.

"The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing," police said in a statement this week.

"Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel, however no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time."

Australian Rules is the country's most popular spectator sport, an 18-player-a-side full-contact game of passing and kicking an oval ball.

It has long been marred by scandals, notably incidents of homophobia and racism.

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said the player suspensions marked a "very sad day" for the club.

"I know that the five players involved, they're extremely remorseful for their actions and having breached the club standards," Pridham said.

"I think that the sanction that we've imposed and the impact that will have on our football season is clear for all to see," he told reporters.

The club said in a separate statement it was providing "appropriate support" to the players involved along with their partners and families.

(T.Brown--TAG)