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Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham stated that the club's five suspended players, known as the 'Pullman Five,' strenuously deny the allegations under investigation by Victoria Police. Pridham emphasized the presumption of innocence and noted that while the players were stood down, they remained eligible for awards at the club's best-and-fairest function, with their absence intended to avoid distracting from other winners.
Sydney Swans: Chairman Andrew Pridham says ‘ Pullman Five’ should be afforded presumption of innocence Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham says the club’s ‘ Pullman Five’ players ‘strenuously deny the allegations’ being investigated.
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said the “Pullman Five” players “strenuously deny the allegations” being investigated by Victoria Police as he addressed the club’s best-and-fairest function on Thursday night. Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were stood down by the Swans following allegations relating to an incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel. Heeney was named the Bob Skilton medal winner after the five remained eligible to win awards on the night.
The awards night at Sydney Town Hall opened with a highlights package and on-stage dancers, none of the five players featured in the footage. Pridham was the first speaker of the night, opening his 16-minute address by referring to the five players and explaining their absence. He said the players wanted to attend the function but did not want their presence to distract from the other award winners.
Pridham was also among the Swans board members who decided the five players would remain eligible for Thursday night’s awards. While the suspended players did not attend, the club publicly backed their legal position, with Pridham saying they should be afforded the “presumption of innocence” despite being stood down. Be the first to know: “At no time have we made any judgment on the allegations currently before police, as this is a separate matter.
Pridham also acknowledged the hurt that remained within the club following the players’ actions, conceding the decision to begin reintegrating them into the squad had not been unanimously supported. But the chairman said he believed it was the best course of action for the club as it looked to move forward.
“We look forward to positively engaging with them all again soon in the period between now and the pre-season. “We listened to a range of opinions across the club and in the football community, and I very much and genuinely mean that I respect that some people in this room and beyond may not agree with where we’ve landed tonight or where we have landed in many decisions.
“Strong clubs don’t pretend mistakes never happen; they hold people to account, they learn, and they get better. “Adversity can break you or it can make you stronger, and my promise to you is that it will make us stronger and more united in the future. ”
Sydney Swans Andrew Pridham Pullman Five Australian Rules Football Victoria Police
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