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'Extremely disappointed': Swans player stood down after assault charge

australian associated press
·2-min read
Pictured here, Elijah Taylor was charged with assault on Monday.
The Swans stood down Elijah Taylor after he was charged with assault on Monday. Pic: Getty

The Sydney Swans have stood down Elijah Taylor from all AFL duties after the 19-year-old was charged with assault.

Taylor will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on September 30 after being charged on Monday with aggravated assault.

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On Tuesday, Swans chief executive officer Tom Harley confirmed Taylor had been stood down indefinitely from all club commitments.

"We are extremely disappointed to have one of our players in this position," Harley said in a statement.

"As a result of the serious nature of these charges, coupled with Elijah's failure to abide by club directives on a number of occasions this year, we have made the decision to stand him down from all club commitments immediately.

Elijah Taylor was arrested by WA Police on Sunday. Image: Getty/7News
Elijah Taylor was arrested by WA Police on Sunday. Image: Getty/7News

"We will review this position as the situation unfolds.

"We believe this is the most appropriate course of action giving respect to all involved and in light of the impending court proceedings."

The Swans last month suspended Taylor for breaching the AFL's hotel quarantine protocols. He remained in Perth while the club moved into a Queensland hub.

Taylor, from Western Australia, was arrested at a house in the southern Perth suburb of Langford on Monday and questioned by police for several hours.

He was subsequently charged with assaulting an 18-year-old woman known to him, with the offence alleged to have occurred at a hotel in Perth's central business district between 6am and 8am on Monday.

Swans offer support for all involved

Harley said the Swans had "strong values which include respect, tolerance and a condemnation of violence, especially against women".

"We expect everyone at our club to uphold these values without compromise," he said.

A statement on the Swans website accepted that it was a "difficult situation" but offered its support for all those involved.

“We believe this is the most appropriate course of action giving respect to all involved, and in light of the impending court proceedings.

“This is a difficult situation and one we will work with relevant experts and authorities to navigate.

“The club, together with the AFL, will ensure Elijah and those involved receive the appropriate assistance and support."

The Sydney Swans will not be making any further comment regarding the alleged conduct or the charge whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.

with Yahoo Sport staff