Five Australian rules footy players suspended amid police investigation

Five players in the Australian Football League (AFL) have been banned for late-night drinking and inviting women to a hotel after a weekend match in Melbourne.

The Sydney Swans' Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice have been stood down from Australian Rules football's top league for the rest of the season, the club announced.

The suspension comes after detectives in Melbourne began an investigation into an alleged sexual assault, said to have to taken place in the early hours of Monday morning at the Pullman Hotel where the players were staying after the match.

None of the players have been arrested or charged in the investigation.

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham apologised to fans, players and the wider community on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, he explained that the sanctions were handed down because the players had breached the club's standards by drinking alcohol later than accepted and bringing women to the hotel.

In a statement published earlier in the day announcing the suspensions, the club said: "We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and the actions we have taken today are independent of this.

Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich told a media conference: "We're deeply embarrassed and ashamed that the poor choices of five of our players, and the impact that's had on the women involved and also the club.