Controversial Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has been given personal leave by the AFL club, with no time frame set on his return.
Key points:
- De Goey will “undertake further behavioural education” but has avoided any suspension
- The Magpies have suspended contract negotiations with the troubled 26-year-old
- De Goey was expected to front the media in coming days, but it is unclear if that will happen now
It comes a day after he was hit with a $25,000 suspended fine and he apologised for his “disrespectful” conduct while partying in Bali, which was caught on camera.
“Collingwood advise player Jordan De Goey has been granted personal leave by the club and will not take part in the round 15 match against GWS [on Sunday],” the club said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“Jordan has been absent from training this week and the club will continue to support him on his return to the football program.”
Footage emerged on social media last week of De Goey, who was given permission by the club to travel to Bali on his mid-season break, making crude gestures while at a nightclub.
The fine is suspended through to the end of the season and dependent on good behaviour.
De Goey will also “undertake further behavioural education” in addition to an existing counselling program, but has avoided any suspension from playing duties.
Collingwood have also put contract talks with the 26-year-old, who is entering free agency, on hold until season’s end.
“The actions shown in the video footage are disrespectful and I accept that I have betrayed the trust the club showed in me by allowing me to take my mid-season break overseas,” De Goey said in a statement on Wednesday.
“My actions have fallen short of the standards expected of me as a person, as an AFL footballer and as a representative of Collingwood.
“I had worked hard this year to establish trust and confidence in me to make better decisions and through no-one’s fault but my own, I have undone that trust.
“Again, I apologise for my disrespectful conduct. I understand that I have let many people down and that I have much work to do to again rebuild trust.”
The 26-year-old’s statement was in stark contrast to his initial response via Instagram, where he had lamented “persecution” of athletes by the media.
Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson condemned De Goey’s actions as demonstrating disrespect towards women.
He was particularly dismayed by vision of De Goey pulling at a woman’s top, almost exposing her breast.
The Bali incident comes after De Goey was stood down by Collingwood last October when he was arrested for a drunken incident at a New York nightclub.
Anderson also said on Wednesday that De Goey would speak in the next couple of days, but it is unclear whether this will now happen given the player is on leave.
The AFL said Collingwood had “handled the matter appropriately” and the league wouldn’t take further action against De Goey, while condemning his behaviour as setting a bad example.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
