Port CEO hits back on TV reports, AFL finding on Sam Powell-Pepper

PORT Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas will not detail just how midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper made ‘inappropriate contact’ with a university student at an Adelaide nightclub, but defended the young star in a strained press conference. Watch it here.

Sam Powell-Pepper in action for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL on Wednesday. Picture: Matt Turner. Sam Powell-Pepper details emerge after Port conference

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PORT Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas will not detail just how midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper made “inappropriate contact” with a 20-year-old female university student at an Adelaide nightclub earlier this month.

But in a strained 30-minute media conference at Alberton, Thomas stood firm in defending Powell-Pepper from allegations of sexual assault or indecent assault while blaming Adelaide’s Channel 7 for tainting the 16-day AFL investigation.

Thomas declared Powell-Pepper’s contact with the student on the dance floor at the Mr Kim’s nightclub at around 3am on Sunday April 8 “made a woman feel uncomfortable”.

But Thomas would not detail just how Powell-Pepper did behave while admitting he was drunk.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas fronts the media on Thursday. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Asked to describe the “inappropriate contact” made by Powell-Pepper, Thomas replied: “It is in the eye of the beholder ... we don’t believe (it was of a sexual nature).

“And the (AFL) findings have demonstrated that. I lean on the fact the issue was not reported to the police either by her or the AFL integrity unit as they are duty bound to do if they find a sexual assault had occurred.

“Based on the (seven hours of) video evidence we’ve seen, it is a long way (from a sexual assault).”

Thomas said it would inappropriate to detail what the video from the nightclub shows.

Powell-Pepper has been banned for three-games for breaching the AFL’s new respect and responsibility code. He was found guilty by the AFL of engaging “in inappropriate behaviour that is unbecoming for an AFL player by being intoxicated in a public place and by making inappropriate contact with a female”.

Thomas claimed the woman in making her complaint had told the club: “I don’t want Sam to get into trouble; make it a warning.”

Thomas noted the AFL would have been compelled to refer the case to SA Police had there been any evidence to support a case of sexual or indecent assault.

“Sam has accepted responsibility for his actions,” Thomas said today. “He was intoxicated — and behaved in a manner which made a woman feel uncomfortable.”

Thomas did not dismiss the student’s complaint — made to the club on Monday, April 9 — saying: “We took it very seriously from the moment we were notified (by the woman). These allegations are very serious.”

Sam Powell-Pepper while playing for the Magpies at Unley Oval on Sunday. Picture Matt Turner.

Thomas dismissed reports that Powell-Pepper had changed his version of events while under investigation by the AFL.

“His position has not changed from day one,” Thomas said.

Thomas put Adelaide’s Channel 7 on notice of further action to address how Powell-Pepper’s reputation was sullied by television reports alleging he had made a sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman.

‘We believe (that Channel 7 report) set the tone for the entire investigation,” Thomas said. “Having viewed the evidence, (this report) way overplayed the incident.

“What that meant was the investigation was immediately on the back foot; it was dealing with a public perception that was being created and not controlled.”

Thomas described Powell-Pepper’s presence on Hindley Street at 3am as “a recipe for disaster that should be avoided at all costs.”

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