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‘Ashamed’ Sydney Swans bosses apologise as reason given for season-ending bans Sydney Chairman Andrew Pridham and CEO Matthew Pavlich have emphasised the Swans are “deeply embarrassed and ashamed” with the behaviour of five of their players, who have been suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season. All of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were sanctioned by the club on Wednesday morning for their behaviour prior and separate to an alleged sexual assault incident in East Melbourne. Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Pridham and Pavlich fronted the media at midday to explain the action they took against the players for “breaching our standards as a club”. “To say we’re disappointed is an understatement. We’re deeply embarrassed and ashamed that the poor choices of five of our players, and the impact it’s had (on everyone),” Pavlich told reporters. “It’s important to understand that this sanction is only as it relates to the players’ behaviours, and the standard we expect and were expecting post-game on Sunday night and into Monday morning. “We’ve been working very closely with the five players involved, and the AFL who were very supportive of this approach. We’ve also been chatting at length with the AFL Players’ Association.” READ MORE... ‘NOT THE HEART OF THE ISSUE’: What must not be lost amid Swans fallout on ‘seismic day’ for AFL SEASON DONE: Bombshell bans confirmed for FIVE Swans players Several reports on Monday revealed that in the wake of their club’s six-goal win over Essendon on Sunday evening, Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Bice all spoke with Victoria Police in relation to the broader incident at the Pullman Hotel. Police are investigating an allegation of sexual assault made following the incident, which has since been referred to the Sexual Crimes Squad. Foxfooty.com.au is not suggesting any of the aforementioned players are under investigation by police, only that they are assisting with enquiries. “At the outset, I want to offer a sincere apology to the community, our many, many fans,” Pridham said on Wednesday afternoon. “Our corporate partners have been amazingly supportive of us (in) understanding that we are attempting to deal with this matter as honestly as we can, given the constraints of the police enquiry. “Our thoughts go out to everybody that has been impacted by these events. We know it’s impacted many, many people. Ranging from the partners of our staff, our players (men and women) ... there’s deep disappointment in the club with what has occurred. We know many people are hurting.” Pavlich, who is in his first year at the Swans as their chief executive, went on to clarify a number of “mistruths” that have been circulating regarding the quintet of players leading up to their suspension. “There’s a lot of mistruths ... Can I be really clear on a couple of things?” Pavlich said. “All five players have not been formally interviewed by police, no charges have been laid whatsoever. There’s a lot of mistruths out there which we’re trying to manage as best we can. “I just want to be clear on that. There are issues related to the police matter that we can’t talk about. I just want to make that crystal clear.” In a club statement released two hours earlier at 10:01am, the Swans said: “The AFL is supportive of the club’s sanctions. “We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and the actions we have taken today are independent of this.” The ban handed down to the quintet will see them unavailable for as little as three matches, or as long as five. “We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this,” the Swans said as part of a statement released on Tuesday night. “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.” Re-live the club’s press conference our live blog below. If you can’t see the blog,tap here.