FOUR Sydney players will not be charged after police confirmed they have finalised their investigation into a hotel room afterparty.
Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and now former Swan Nick Blakey have been under investigation since August after three women made reports of sexual assault to police after an alleged incident at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne.
Victoria Police confirmed on Friday morning that no criminal charges would be laid.
"Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence," police said in a statement.
The four players, and fifth player Riley Bice, were suspended from round 24 and the club's two finals for what the club termed a "serious breach of expected club behaviour and standards" after the incident at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne on August 17 after Sydney's win over Essendon.
Those AFL-endorsed club bans were separate from the police investigation.
Victoria Police confirmed a civil matter is ongoing.
Sydney's premiership bid – as Swans chairman Andrew Pridham put it – was "torpedoed" with the suspensions and the club made a preliminary final exit.
While Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Bice remain at the club, Blakey requested a trade and joined North Melbourne last month.
Sydney is undertaking a review of its AFL program and broader culture, engaging an independent adviser as part of a process expected to be completed by the end of the year.
In the latest off-field incident, forward Tom Papley was issued a court attendance notice earlier this month.
Papley received the notice for driving with a suspended licence, which the club said was due to the non-payment of a parking fine. NSW Police confirmed that during the roadside stop, a random drug test returned a positive preliminary indication. A secondary oral-fluid sample was taken for analysis.
The Swans said Papley reported the incident immediately and the club subsequently notified the AFL.
More to come
Victoria Police statement
Sexual Crimes Squad detectives received reports of sexual assault in East Melbourne on 17 August.
The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of the morning.
Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence.
Due to the ongoing civil matter, Victoria Police is unable to make further comment.
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