Victoria Police will not charge four Sydney Swans players over alleged Pullman Hotel incident

Victoria Police will not lay criminal charges against four Sydney Swans players who were under investigation over an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne earlier this year. The players named in the inquiry were Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey.

The quartet assisted police during the inquiry and, according to authorities, will have no further case to answer. “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.”

The four players and teammate Riley Bice were suspended by the Sydney Swans in August for breaching the club’s standards. The club said the breaches included drinking and bringing women back to their hotel the night after an AFL game in Melbourne.

Victoria Police conducted a separate criminal investigation into the incident at the Pullman Hotel. Bice and two other people believed to have been in the hotel room at the time of the alleged incident were treated as witnesses in that inquiry.

Police previously said three women made a report following the alleged incident in the early hours of 17 August. The players have reportedly denied any criminal wrongdoing, and Nick Blakey is now a North Melbourne player.

The scandal, and experienced forward Tom Papley’s alleged positive roadside drug test last week, prompted the Swans to engage external advisors to undertake an independent review of the culture of the club.