Collingwood have stood down Jordan De Goey after the star forward was embroiled in another off-field incident.
Earlier today, reports from the United States alleged that De Goey and a friend had groped a woman and then assaulted her friend at a bar in New York.
“Collingwood today stood Jordan De Goey down from their AFL program indefinitely,” a club statement reads.
“The club will continue to pay De Goey under the terms of his contract until such time as an outcome to proceedings against him in the United States is reached or a more complete account of events is established.
“In the interim, De Goey will not be permitted to train or play with Collingwood or make use of club resources, staff or facilities.
“Collingwood are deeply disappointed by reports and events of the last 48 hours involving De Goey in the US. Given the circumstances, the club believes it is appropriate to remove him from the AFL program.
“Collingwood have been in contact with De Goey and his management today and have explained to both the decision.”
The New York Daily News reported that De Goey spent Saturday night in a cell after an alleged incident at a rooftop bar in Manhattan.
Nine News US correspondent Michael Genovese has since reported that De Goey appeared before a judge wearing a bathrobe, having gone out in a Halloween costume. Genovese also reported that De Goey was due to reappear in court on December 8.
https://twitter.com/GenoveseMichael/status/1454655049041256454https://twitter.com/AyrtonWoolley/status/1454669572997406722
Earlier in the night his friend posted a video to Instagram as they got ready in their hotel room.
“When you arrive in New York for a Halloween party and you don’t have any outfit so you chuck the bath robes on,” De Goey’s friend said.
“You look like a taekwondo instructor,” he added as the two laughed uncontrollably.
“F–k yeah.”
According to police, De Goey and a friend, Luke Dyson, approached a woman on the dance floor and groped her. After a male friend of the woman tried to intervene, Dyson allegedly struck him in the face with a glass bottle.
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De Goey recently had a previous indecent assault charge withdrawn, and Victoria Police has been ordered to pay his legal costs.
The charge related to an allegation of indecent assault of a woman in the Melbourne suburb of Kew on June 21, 2015.
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Earlier today, the AFL issued a brief statement regarding the matter.
“The AFL has been contacted by the Collingwood football club and made aware of a report involving player Jordan De Goey, who is currently overseas. Collingwood are attempting to contact Jordan to obtain further information,” the AFL statement reads.
“The AFL integrity department will look into the matter once more information is obtained, until then the AFL is not in a position to make comment at this stage.”
De Goey had travelled to the United States a fortnight ago and had been filmed in southern California at the W Training Facility, which he had visited in conjunction with a sponsor.
– Additional reporting with Marc Churches
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