An embattled local Melbourne football club has confirmed the players who were caught performing a lewd public sex act during their Mad Monday celebrations will not be returning.
The Glen Waverley Football Club was disgraced last month when vision of the incident, which took place in front of teammates and other patrons at a public bar, was widely circulated.
In the footage a player can be seen exposing his genitals before another man performs a sex act on him, which was greeted with loud cheers.
The Herald Sun also reported the players were abusive to other people at the pub. The patron saw the men smashing glassware and trying to grab wine from behind the bar as well.
It is believed the team’s celebrations took place Sunday, August 14, the day after its final game for the year.
The club, which plays in Melbourne’s Eastern Football Netball League, finished last in the competition’s Division 3 this season. It was subsequently relegated to Division 4 for next year.
Glen Waverley Football Netball Club’s committee released a letter on Friday, where it confirmed the “players involved in the incident will not be returning”.
“We are committed to every effort in rebuilding the senior club for 2023 based on values and standards that the club community can be proud of,” the committee said.
“We will continue to invest in our junior program, and collaborate where necessary to maximise participation and engagement.
“There are many great people involved at all levels of our club and its broader network, many of whom have been unfairly impacted by a regrettable situation in which they had no involvement.
“They deserve the opportunity to enjoy participating in the game and the club community, and they will be our focus.”
Glen Waverley said it was “extremely saddened and disappointed” with the player’s behaviour in its initial statement on the incident, which was released last month.
It also described their actions as a “serious breach of our culture”.
The club said throughout the process counselling and professional support had been organised for those involved.
“Professional counselling support was arranged to assist the players involved in dealing with the impact to their mental health and wellbeing, the committee said.
“An independent professionally facilitated program was initiated to focus on both the immediate impacts on the broader group, as well as establishing clear expectations and values upon which to move forward.”
The club said it has been in ongoing consultation with the EFNL, Council and external parties during this time.
“We thank EFNL for its support, and the generous people in the broader footy community who have reached out to offer assistance,” the committee said.
“We look forward to focusing on the future, with some hard work and positive energy to take our club forward.”
