Swans step aside from Elijah Taylor dispute probe

Sydney says it will remove itself from any aspect of the investigation into Elijah Taylor’s domestic dispute with his former partner.

The AFL’s integrity team will speak to Elijah Taylor over the accusations made by his former partner Lekahni Pearce. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney says it will remove itself from any aspect of the investigation into Elijah Taylor’s domestic dispute with former partner Lekahni Pearce to avoid a conflict of interest.

Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the league’s own respect and responsibility code meant any complaints were automatically referred to police.

He said the club took any allegations of violence seriously as he denied the club had spoken to Pearce and told her not to make any further comment.

The league’s integrity team will speak to Taylor and Pearce over the accusations, which she made in an Instagram post on Saturday night.

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It is believed the alleged incident took place in NSW before the Swans left for their AFL hub in Western Australia.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police confirmed on Monday that no complaint had been made about Taylor.

Without a formal complaint, NSW Police will not investigate the matter, despite the nature of the social media post and the fact the AFL integrity unit is undertaking its own investigation.

“We are a club that has respect at the core of our values and we condemn any violence against women and violence of any nature,” Harley said.

“These are very serious allegations. We are running a very proper process with the AFL and we will continue to do that.

“Obviously the welfare of both Elijah and Lekahni is paramount. We are dealing with two young people here. I won’t go into the specific details but there is support on both sides.

“Our process is to notify the AFL integrity department and then it’s the AFL integrity department’s responsibility as part of the respect and responsibility policy to follow through with relevant authorities. I am told the AFL have been in touch with the police about this matter.

“One of the key tenets of the respect and responsibility policy is to take a lead in these situations and remove clubs from a perceived conflict.”

Harley said the Swans had not told Pearce not to talk further about the incident.

Taylor has been suspended by the AFL until the end of the season over a COVID-19 breach.

Harley said Taylor staying in Perth with his family instead of joining teammates in a Cairns hub had been deemed as the best course, despite the lack of one-on-one support in a tough time.

“We as club in consultation with Elijah and family and his management, given he was suspended for the balance of the season, discussed where the best place would be and it was determined with family in WA is that place,” he said. “Clearly it’s challenging regardless, but we are supporting Elijah in the best way we can remotely.”