The AFL has broken its silence over the “deeply concerning” alleged sexual assault incident involving Sydney Swans players.

In a statement attributed to chief executive Andrew Dillon, he said the wellbeing of any alleged victim or victims would be put ahead of any football ramifications for the club.

“The conduct and serious allegations regarding Sydney Swans players are deeply concerning,” the statement read.

“While the matter remains under police investigation, it raises broader issues for our game and our responsibilities as a sport.

“The woman who made the report to police is entitled to privacy and care, and that should be respected.

“It is important that the police process is allowed to run its course.”

Dillon added that “sexual assault allegations are serious, regardless of who is involved, what time of year it is, or what they may mean for a season”.

“Our first question should not be what this means for a football club. It should be whether our actions match the standards we stand for and the community expects of us,” the statement continued.

“As a sport, and as an industry, we are clear about the standards we expect and the values we stand for and the need to uphold them.

“Being clear about our standards also means being prepared to act when those standards are not met.

“Notwithstanding the ongoing police investigation, the AFL and the Sydney Swans will consider the broader conduct of the players as more information comes to light.”

This masthead does not suggest that the Swans players who have spoken to police about the incident are under investigation, suspected or guilty of any wrongdoing. No players have been arrested or charged.

It comes as the club confirmed the board would be meeting on Tuesday night to discuss player sanctions having concluded its own interviews with the players involved.

“The Club believes the players are in serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches,” they said.

“The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women. Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe.

“We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a Club. They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community.

“Any further sanctions or decisions regarding the outcome of the police investigation would take place after that process is completed.”

The Swans said the club would be providing support to the players involved and their families throughout the process.

“The Sydney Swans hold all players and staff at the Club to high standards of behaviour and personal conduct. Representing this Club carries significant responsibilities both on and off the field, and we expect those standards to be upheld at all times,” the statement continued

“Our focus remains on cooperating fully with the AFL and authorities, maintaining the integrity of the process, and upholding the high standards expected of everyone who represents this Club.”

It comes as 7News revealed Swans vice captain Isaac Heeney was the only player who attended a police station to speak with detectives. Heeney reportedly voluntarily attended the police station on Monday.

According to the 7NEWS report, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice are expected to be ruled out of selection against North Melbourne this weekend. They were spoken to by police, however, no one has been arrested or formally interviewed.

The Swans players arrived back in Sydney on Tuesday after driving rental cars to avoid waiting media at the airport. Club officials met with each of the players at individual offsite locations.

The playing group and staff had remained in Victoria following a win over Essendon on Sunday at the MCG, which is just 200m from the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne.

In new vision exclusively obtained by 7News, Sydney coach Dean Cox and other football staff were spotted standing on a Melbourne street in the hours before the alleged assault. The vision was taken just after 12.30pm.

It’s understood the Swans had a club function at Harlow Bar in Richmond, just metres from where Cox and fellow Sydney staff were filmed via CCTV. Cox appears to be getting into a car at the end of the footage.

Cox addressed the wider playing group at the club’s headquarters at Moore Park on Tuesday. It is understood the players who spoke to police were not present.

Earlier, Cox and Sydney captain Callum Mills spoke to reporters for the first time since news of the police investigation came to light.

Cox said he was “extremely disappointed with what’s happened and understand the questions and will update when we have more information”.

“We are working our way through everything with the AFL and all parties and will update when we have more information,” he said.

Asked if he had spoken to the players, Cox said: “We’ll speak as the day unfolds.”

Mills added that he “can’t really comment”.

“It’s an investigation (that’s) ongoing, and we don’t have the facts yet,” he said.

“Once everything is sorted and the facts are understood, then we can comment.”

The Herald Sun has reported sources have claimed that a player had arranged for at least two women to join them at the hotel in the early hours of Monday after a large group of Swans player had been out for dinner and drinks.

Sources say a commotion then reportedly erupted in the hotel room of one of the players.

The report states at least one of the women left the room and headed downstairs where they confronted club and hotel staff in the lobby. A woman, who was visibly and audibly upset, reportedly told venue and club staff that she had been “inappropriately touched”.

Victoria Police confirmed on Tuesday morning the investigation was now being led by the Sexual Crimes Squad.

“Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad are investigating a report of a sexual assault in East Melbourne on 17 August,” the statement read, as cited by the Herald Sun.

“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of the morning. The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

“Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel; however, no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time.”

It follows a brief statement from the Swans on Monday: “The Sydney Swans can confirm several players were involved in an alleged incident in Melbourne last night.

“The Swans have notified the AFL and relevant authorities and cannot provide further comment at this stage.”

Other AFL coaches addressed the controversy in their weekly press conferences, including fellow top-four teams Fremantle and Brisbane.

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said it was “surprising” to learn that several Sydney players had spoken with police.

“I’m not going to comment on it any further,” Longmuir said. “They’re serious allegations that have been made, and being investigated, and I just don’t see how everyone piling on is going to help.”

Lions coach Chris Fagan doesn’t expect the investigation to be resolved quickly and says the “difficult” situation should remind AFL players of the behaviour expected of them.

“It’s something I don’t really want to comment about,” Fagan said.

“I’m glad it’s not us. I wouldn’t like to be in their shoes, but there’s so many facts and things to be revealed and investigated that it would be unfair to talk about that.

“I mean, the ideal scenario for them would be that there’s nothing to see, and it’ll be all wrapped up within a week. I suspect that’s not going to be the case.

“So it’s going to be a difficult situation for them to manage their way through and I’m just glad that we’re not in that situation.

“The whole thing is just a good reminder to every AFL player at every club about the standards of behaviour that we’re expecting.”

Hawthorn great Luke Hodge called for the Swans players to be stood down while declaring the culture of the club “fractured”.

“They have got to stand them down until they are either cleared or more information comes out,” Hodge told SEN.

The Swans have already locked in a home qualifying final ahead of their final regular-season match against the Kangaroos at the SCG on Sunday.

But Hodge said finals would be the “last thing in the Swans’ mind right now”.

Anyone with information that could assist police with their investigation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously.

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service: 1800 211 028