THE SYDNEY Swans say no charges have been laid by Victoria Police after detectives conducted interviews this week in Sydney regarding an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel last month.
In a statement on Wednesday, police said detectives had travelled to Sydney to interview four men, adding they "also spoke to or will speak to three men believed to be in the hotel room at the time of the incident, who are being treated solely as witnesses at this time".
>> SEE THE STATEMENTS FROM SYDNEY SWANS AND VICTORIA POLICE BELOW
Police are not looking to speak with anyone else in relation to the ongoing investigation and AFL.com.au is not suggesting any wrongdoing.
Last month, the Swans suspended five players - Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon - for the rest of the season for breaching club standards.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Swans acknowledged the police investigation remains ongoing and it could take some time.
"We note that no charges have been laid and that police have indicated the process may take some time to run its course," the club said in a short statement.
"As it remains a police investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further."
Swans coach Dean Cox said on Tuesday night that he would always "support my players".
"I’m staying in dialogue with those five players whilst they’re away from the football club," Cox told Fox Footy.
"I speak about their welfare, how they’re going and if we can support in any way. I haven’t spoken to them at all about the police investigation."
The AFL's integrity unit is investigating.
“Once the police investigation is complete, we will conduct our own enquiries, but the AFL won’t get involved while there’s a police investigation under way,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said last week.
Sydney Swans statement
The Sydney Swans acknowledge the statement made today by Victoria Police regarding an alleged incident at the Pullman Hotel on Monday 17 August.
The wellbeing of those impacted remains of paramount importance.
We note that no charges have been laid and that police have indicated the process may take some time to run its course.
As it remains a police investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further.
The Club again extends its sincere apologies to our members and fans, sponsors and the wider community, along with all of our staff and players across both the women’s and men’s programs, for the distress and disappointment this matter has caused.
Victoria Police statement
Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad are continuing to investigate reports of sexual assault at a hotel in East Melbourne earlier this month.
The matter occurred at the Wellington Parade premises in the early hours of 17 August.
Three women subsequently made a report to police.
Detectives travelled to NSW this week to speak to four people as part of their investigation into the sexual assault allegations, including:
A 26-year-old Randwick man;
A 30-year-old Maroubra man;
A 25-year-old Randwick man; and
A 25-year-old Paddington man.
That process has now concluded.
Investigators also spoke to or will speak to three men believed to be in the hotel room at the time of the incident, who are being treated solely as witnesses at this time.
Police now believe they have now identified all parties who were in the room at the time of the alleged incident and are not looking for anyone further.
The investigation into the circumstances remains active and ongoing.
