WA police arrest Swans’ footballer Elijah Taylor

Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor has reportedly been arrested and questioned by Perth police.

Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor has been arrested in Perth. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor has reportedly been arrested and questioned by Perth police.

The Herald Sun reported the 19-year-old was arrested in Langford, about 11km south of the city, just after 1pm on Sunday and is understood to have been taken to Cannington police station.

The reason for the teenager’s arrest has not been confirmed.

Taylor has been under investigation by the AFL’s integrity unit over serious assault allegations made against him by his former girlfriend Lekahni Pearce, 18.

The allegations were made by Ms Pearce on Instagram last weekend in a post that was later deleted.

The Swans confirmed on Saturday night they were aware of the allegations made in the post.

“The allegations are very serious and are being treated as such. The club has notified the AFL and is not in a position to comment further,” the club said.

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

In August Taylor was suspended by the AFL until the end of the season over a COVID-19 breach when Ms Pearce tried to sneak into the Swans accommodation in the Perth suburb of Joondalup.

As a result of the incident the Swans were fined $50,000 and Premier Mark McGowan said he was disappointed with the AFL and they Swans and they had let the state down.

“The AFL gave us every ­assurance this wouldn’t happen. The Swans have let us down, the AFL has let us down,” Mr McGowan said. “We’re disappointed in both organisations. I received an apology from the AFL this morning. I appreciate that. (But) they promised us this wouldn’t happen.”