AFL news: Elijah Taylor suspended for remainder of 2020 season after COVID-19 breach

The Sydney Swans have been fined $50,000 after a young gun’s partner entered the club’s accommodation without permission.

Sydney Swans young gun Elijah Taylor has been suspended for the remainder of the 2020 season after he breached the AFL’s coronavirus protocols.

Taylor’s partner reportedly entered the club’s quarantine accommodation in Perth, which is not permitted in the AFL’s return to play protocols and Western Australia’s COVID-19 quarantine directions.

The Swans have been given a $50,000 fine, with $25,000 of that amount suspended — the figure of $25,000 will be included in the club’s 2021 Soft Cap.

Sydney are the 13th AFL club to have committed a COVID-19 breach during the 2020 premiership.

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“Taylor breached the protocols after his partner entered the Sydney Swans quarantine accommodation in Western Australia when not authorised to do so,” the AFL revealed in a statement.

“It is a breach of not only the AFL return to play protocols but also the Western Australian COVID-19 quarantine directions that currently apply to all Sydney Swans players and officials at their quarantine accommodation.

“The AFL, in conjunction with the club, investigated the matter and has determined that Taylor be suspended for the rest of the season.”

Sydney’s Elijah Taylor suspended for the rest of 2020 after his partner entered the Swans’ WA quarantine hub... via AFL press release.

Club fined $50,000 ($25,000 suspended). The $25k to be included in 2021 soft cap @AFLcomau

— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) August 15, 2020

Wow. Elijah Taylor for Sydney banned for the rest of the 2020 season for allowing his partner to come into the WA bubble. Broke AFL and WA rules. Swans fined 50K as well. @FOXFOOTY

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 15, 2020

AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon responded to the incident: “The actions by Elijah not only breach the AFL’s protocols, but made it a police matter by breaching the Western Australian COVID-19 quarantine directions.

“When in quarantine the rules are clear and there is no excuse for this breach.”

WA Police confirmed Taylor would remain in the hub at the Joondalup Resort with his teammates, while his partner will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

“The woman is alleged to have entered the Joondalup Resort in the early hours of yesterday morning, Friday 14 August 2020,” the WA Police said in a statement.

“The AFL directions specify that only authorised persons are permitted to enter the Joondalup Resort during the quarantine period. The player’s partner is not an authorised person.

“As a result of the circumstances established to date, the player’s partner was issued a further temporary quarantine direction which will be subject to ongoing review. The Sydney Swans player will remain in the quarantine hub.”

The Swans released a statement on Saturday evening claiming they are “extremely disappointed” by the incident.

“On Friday night, the club became aware that the partner of one of our players had visited the resort where the team is undertaking a 14-day quarantine period,” the statement read.

“The club immediately notified the AFL and WA Police and has been working with both parties on the necessary steps forward.”

Sydney’s Elijah Taylor.

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Sydney Swans chief executive Tom Harley confirmed the club would accept the sanctions.

“We’re extremely disappointed to be in this position as our staff and players are all well aware of both the AFL protocols and the restrictions we are required to adhere to while in quarantine,” Harley said.

“We have spoken to Elijah at length and he understands the seriousness of this situation, which has also been reiterated to the entire team.

“We also appreciate that the circumstances of this year are unique and challenging for everyone, and we will continue to provide support to Elijah, as well as our other staff and players who are away from their families.

“The club would like to unreservedly apologise to the WA community. Clearly the restrictions we are adhering to are designed to protect the community and any breach is unacceptable.”

Four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis was adamant Taylor should pay the fine himself.

“You do the crime, you pay the fine,” Lewis told Fox Footy.

“If you are silly enough to do that, and bring someone in who you clearly know is wrong, you’ve got to front up the bill.

“You’ve got to have your head under a rock to know it’s not right ... there’s got to be some sort of accountability from the player.”

Taylor has played four AFL matches since the 19-year-old made his debut against the Gold Coast Suns in July, where he managed nine disposals and a mark.

Sports journalist Adam Curley tweeted: “Elijah Taylor, fair dinkum what are you thinking? Mind-blowing.

“Selfish & disgusting behaviour … makes my blood boil.”

The bombshell news comes after the Swans embarrassed cross-town rivals the GWS Giants 10.6 (66) to 3.7 (25) on Thursday evening.