AFL CEO addresses Sydney Swans player investigation and trade risks

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has stated that the league will leave it to individual clubs to decide whether to trade for suspended Sydney Swans players currently involved in a police investigation. The investigation follows allegations from three women regarding sexual assault and inappropriate touching at the Pullman hotel.

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, and James Jordon are identified as persons of interest in the investigation, while Riley Bice is being treated only as a witness. All players have denied any criminal wrongdoing, and no charges have been laid at this time.

Dillon noted that any decision to stand down players would depend on the nature and severity of any potential criminal charges. He emphasized that clubs must perform their own due diligence regarding the inherent risks of acquiring these players. The AFL reserves the right to sanction the players once the police investigation concludes.