A man is being investigated over a secret recording linked to the police investigation into an alleged sexual assault linked to Sydney Swans players.
The recording was reportedly made after the alleged incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel in August, when the Swans were staying there.
Four Swans players remain under investigation over the alleged sexual assault, and no criminal charges have been laid.
The players have denied criminal wrongdoing.
Here is what to know.
Investigation
Five Sydney Swans players – Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner and Riley Bice – were suspended by the club in August for a “serious breach” of its behavioural standards following a game against Essendon.
Victoria Police are separately investigating allegations of sexual assault at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel, where the Swans were staying that night.
Four players – Heeney, Jordon, Blakey and Warner – have been interviewed by police.
Bice has since been cleared of wrongdoing and is being treated as a witness.
The club suspensions related to breaches of behavioural standards and do not mean the players have been accused of sexual assault.
No criminal charges have been laid, and the players deny criminal wrongdoing.
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Victoria Police have seized a recording made by an unidentified man as part of their investigation into the alleged sexual assault at the hotel.
The Herald Sun reported the recording captures the alleged victims talking among themselves in the days after the alleged incident.
The women are understood to be upset that they were recorded without their knowledge or consent.
The man reportedly contacted Sydney Swans officials after the incident, prompting the club to report his approaches to the AFL’s integrity unit.
Victoria Police later seized the recording from a property in Melbourne under warrant.
Police have reportedly spoken to several people about the recording.
The nature of any allegation against the man remains unclear, and Victoria Police have not commented on the development.
It is separate to another recording, reported to be about 20 minutes long, which contains one of the women’s account of what happened in the hotel room and was handed to investigators earlier.
What next
Police are expected to refer their evidence to Victoria’s Office of Public Prosecutions, which will assess whether charges should be laid against the four players still under investigation.
A decision is expected in November.
The AFL will also conduct its own investigation once the police one is complete.
Separately, two of the women are pursuing civil action against several players and the Sydney Swans.
