Collingwood star Jordan De Goey charged with indecent assault
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is free to play, despite his indecent assault charge, but the Pies have decided to keep him out of the game against Hawthorn amid his COVID-19 tests as fresh details emerge.
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Jordan De Goey will miss Friday night’s clash against Hawthorn and instead fly straight to Perth for the Round 7 clash against Geelong.
The Pies have confirmed that De Goey, charged by police on Saturday, and Steele Sidebottom will meet up with the Pies after Friday night’s clash at Giants Stadium.
De Goey could have cleared AFL protocols by having two negative COVID-19 tests in coming days then flying to Sydney late in the week to play.
But the Pies have decided that given De Goey would have missed training sessions while remaining in Melbourne he will be unavailable.
De Goey was charged with indecent assault after an alleged incident in Kew in 2015 involving a woman known to him.
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The AFL has said De Goey would have been available to rejoin the Collingwood football program had he passed those tests.
Despite calls for De Goey to be stood down until he faces those charges in October, he has been handed the presumption of innocence by the AFL.
The league is aware of the details of his charges, having had its integrity team investigate the allegations when they initially emerged.
The Pies have endured a torrid nine days including losses to the Giants and Essendon and enduring a likely season-ending injury to Jeremy Howe.
Steele Sidebottom’s four-week suspension for a COVID breach means the Pies will only be able to select him in Round 9, but he will stay with the club in their Perth hub for a fortnight while training.
The AFL has cleared De Goey to continue playing until he again faces the Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 30.
The league has the power to stand down players, with Steven Milne barred from playing temporarily while he faced charges, but has mostly allowed players the presumption of innocence.
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De Goey sent a letter of apology in 2018 to a woman who has accused him of indecent assault.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal De Goey, who with another 24-year-old man was on Saturday hit with an indecent assault charge over an alleged 2015 incident in Kew involving a woman who was known to them, is understood to have sent a signed letter of apology – which was accepted – to his alleged victim of indecent assault in 2018 with the fresh charge blindsiding the AFL player and the club.
The letter came after a comprehensive 2018 investigation involving the AFL integrity unit and then Victoria Police at the club’s insistence.
No charges were laid in 2018 in relation to the incident which is alleged to have occurred in Kew, in Melbourne’s east, in 2015.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the incident did not occur at a private home.
As well as writing the letter, De Goey also underwent respect and responsibility education.
The league confirmed on Saturday night that given his attendance at a police station, De Goey – who has been subject to strict COVID-19 protocols set by the AFL that requires players to stay within the compliant “bubble” – will need to provide two negative coronavirus tests before he can rejoin his teammates.
“The AFL confirms in 2018 it was made aware of a matter involving Collingwood player Jordan De Goey from 2015,” the league said in a statement.
“As a result of the investigation, the AFL provided further education for De Goey and ongoing counselling for all parties.
“As the legal process has now begun the AFL will make no further comment until it is completed.
“De Goey will be able to rejoin Collingwood’s football program after he clears two COVID-19 tests.”
Collingwood is set to fly to Sydney to start their interstate hub on Sunday, putting De Goey’s place in next Friday night’s clash with Hawthorn in doubt as he races the clock to clear the testing process in time to play.
On Saturday night, Collingwood said De Goey – who has not been stood down – would still travel with the team in its interstate hub, but when he would depart was yet to be determined.
“At Collingwood’s insistence, and with full co-operation from De Goey, the matter was investigated by the AFL integrity unit and the police in 2018,” the club said in a statement.
“No charges were laid.
“De Goey will remain in the Collingwood football program while the legal process takes its course.
“Neither Collingwood nor De Goey is in a position to make further comment.”
The other person charged is not associated with the club in any way.
Sources told the Sunday Herald Sun the AFL integrity department had conducted a thorough and respectful investigative process in 2018, which included ongoing counselling for all parties involved.
Victoria Police confirmed two 24-year-olds — one from Hampton East and one from Clematis — were charged with indecent assault.
Both were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 30 – which could yet be in the AFL finals should the season be further delayed.
The De Goey charge came at the end of a turbulent week for Collingwood.
The premiership fancy has lost its last two games and midfielder Steele Sidebottom was on Tuesday suspended by the league for four games after breaking COVID-19 protocols after a drinking bender that ended with him being driven home by police last Sunday morning.
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Originally published as Collingwood star Jordan De Goey charged with indecent assault