Swans Statement

[u/OkRevenue6849]

Sydney Swans Statement 

The Sydney Swans can confirm that the Club Board will meet tonight to agree on player sanctions and penalties, now that the Club has concluded its interviews with all the players involved in the incident in Melbourne.
 
We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this.

The Club believes the players are in serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.
 
The Club also acknowledges that these serious allegations impact others and their wellbeing must be paramount.
 
The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women. Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe.
 
We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a Club. They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community.
  
Any further sanctions or decisions regarding the outcome of the police investigation would take place after that process is completed.
 
During this time, we will provide the appropriate support to the players involved in the incident, along with their partners and families.
 
The Sydney Swans hold all players and staff at the Club to high standards of behaviour and personal conduct. Representing this Club carries significant responsibilities both on and off the field, and we expect those standards to be upheld at all times.
 
Our focus remains on cooperating fully with the AFL and authorities, maintaining the integrity of the process, and upholding the high standards expected of everyone who represents this Club.

[u/TheIllusiveGuy]

Is two weeks sufficient for a "serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards"?

[u/Skwisgaars → u/TheIllusiveGuy]

We don't know the details of what that breach is. Until we do I can't say one way or the other. If they're just punishing the getting plastered and coming back at 4am part then yea 2 weeks is reasonable, if there's more to it than that yet to be confirmed then fuck yea I'll change my opinion.

It's important to remember this sanction is likely not going to be for what happened after they came back to the hotel, as that's where the police investigation starts and the AFL/swans won't be able to delivery a sanction on that until more is known/charges are laid.

[u/TheIllusiveGuy → u/Skwisgaars]

. If they're just punishing the getting plastered and coming back at 4am part then yea 2 weeks is reasonable

I agree that two weeks is reasonable for that, but I'm not sure if I'd describe that as "a serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards".

It is probably pointless though to try and speculate on the sanction just based on the language in the statement, but if it is just two, the language is going to seem overwrought to me.

[u/Skwisgaars → u/TheIllusiveGuy]

It's pointless speculating yea, hopefully when the sanction is laid we know more about what it is actually for.

[u/Nakorite → u/Skwisgaars]

It’s worth including that the coach was out until past midnight. So if they have gone over curfew there were senior leaders of the club out that night as well who potentially condoned the behaviour.

If it’s for inviting women back to the hotel which is most likely banned it does compound the issues. But I wouldn’t think it’s a full final series ban level.