Berliner Boersenzeitung - Aussie Rules club suspends five players amid police probe

The players will not be considered for selection for the rest of the Australian Football League season, which closes in late September, the club said.

"The AFL is supportive of the club's sanctions," the Swans said in a statement.

"We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and the actions we have taken today are independent of this."

The club named the suspended players as Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner but did not explain why they were being sanctioned.

Neither the club nor police have made any allegation of wrongdoing against any of the players.

This week the club said it was "extremely shocked and disappointed" after several players were involved in an "alleged incident" in Melbourne.

It did not go into detail, however.

Victoria Police said they were investigating an alleged sexual assault in the early hours of Monday at a hotel where the Swans were reportedly staying.

The team, currently second on the ladder, defeated Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground the previous day.

"The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing," police said in a statement this week.

"Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel, however no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time."

Australian Rules, a dynamic kicking and passing game similar to Gaelic football, is the country's most popular spectator sport.

It has long been marred by scandals, notably incidents of homophobia and racism.

(H.Schneide--BBZ)