Angelina Jolie: Swans Charged by Police after finding them Guilty of ‘Conduct Unbecoming’ with Cocaine

Swans embroiled in cocaine scandal after police charges

AFL bans Swans duo as cocaine scandal dealt with

Are the ‘criminals’ Black Swans or the common White Swans?

The AFL has suspended Swans AFLW players Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard after finding the pair guilty of ‘conduct unbecoming’ the day after it was revealed they had been charged by police in the off-season for cocaine possession.

“The AFL found that Hamilton and Sheppard committed a breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a), which states; A Person must not engage in conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute,” a statement released by the AFL on Tuesday afternoon said.

The statement confirmed that the Swans had made the AFL aware of the case last year, and that the AFL Integrity Unit had interviewed the two players after their court proceedings wrapped up.

“AFLW players, in fact all players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances,” AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said.

“While Alexia and Paige have been extremely remorseful and apologetic for their actions, they have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs, and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.

“Our review, in collaboration with the AFLPA, of the AFL’s Illicit Drug Policy continues. The AFL’s expectation is that that AFLW players will be part of any future policy. In these circumstances, both players have been dealt with under the AFL Rules and the accountability both publicly and privately is appropriate.”

Suspended Swans AFLW players Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard

Swans player Alexia Hamilton.

Swans player Paige Sheppard.

The Swans also released a statement that included an apology from both players.

“I would like to express my remorse and apologise to the Sydney Swans family, my teammates, family and friends for making this mistake. I am fully aware I have made a bad error of judgement and will be working hard to earn back the respect of my teammates,” Sheppard said.

“I am extremely embarrassed and apologetic for my actions, and the position I have put my family, friends and teammates in,” Hamilton added.

“I understand I have significantly broken trust, and I apologise to our members, fans and club partners for that. I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Irish Garda tries to reason with a Swan

Swans CEO Tom Harley said the players had fallen short of club standards, adding that the club supported the sanctions handed down by the AFL.

“Our football club has standards of behaviour that we expect all our people to live up to. This behaviour has fallen short of those standards, which is disappointing, and we are supportive of the AFL sanctions as we believe they are appropriate,” Harley said.