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Sydney Swans investigate 'very serious' allegations against banned rookie

Chris Young
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Sydney Swans AFL player Elijah Taylor is pictured.
The Sydney Swans are investigating after shocking allegations were made about him on social media. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The AFL is aware of alarming allegations made against young Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor, involving the woman who was part of his COVID-19 protocol breach.

Taylor, 19, is suspended for the rest of the 2020 season after his partner entered the Swans' accommodation in Perth last month when not authorised to do so.

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On Saturday night, the same woman made a series of shocking allegations against Taylor via social media.

"The Sydney Swans are aware of allegations made on social media regarding first year player Elijah Taylor," the club said in a statement.

"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 at this time."

AFL officials will investigate the matter further on Sunday.

Taylor, who is originally from WA, remained in Perth after his protocol breach to be with family.

The Swans have moved on to a new hub in Cairns to finish the AFL season.

Elijah Taylor’s AFL future in jeopardy

Taylor played four games for the Swans in 2020 after being drafted with the 36th pick in the 2019 National Draft, booting one goal.

The teenager’s suspension for the rest of the 2020 season had already left him with his AFL future uncertain, and the latest allegations are sure to cast further doubt on his prospects.

Herald Sun reporter Mark Robinson suggested as much when tweeting about the allegations.

“If allegations are true, he has more worries than the end of a football career,” he said.

Taylor was caught trying to sneak his girlfriend into the WA resort where the Swans were to be effectively quarantined for the length of their time in the state.

After the story broke, the 19-year-old revealed he had been subjected to racial abuse online, with the Swans speaking up to defend him against such attacks when they came to light in mid-August.

The Swans shared Taylor’s message and condemned the racist abuse via their social media channels.

Elijah Taylor is pictured warming up for an AFL game.
Elijah Taylor was suspended for the remainder of the 2020 season back in August after attempting to sneak his girlfriend into the team's hub resort in WA. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“Elijah made a bad decision and he now has to deal with the consequences,” the club posted on Twitter.

“He should not be the subject of abuse. There is NO place for racism.

“This week is about celebrating the Indigenous players in our game. It shouldn't be about this.

“Enough is enough. It must stop.”

With AAP/Shayne Hope