AFL star is suspended for breaching COVID-19 restriction by sneaking a woman into his hotel room late at night – despite being in quarantine
- A Sydney Swans young gun has been suspended for the rest of the AFL season
- Elijah Taylor, 19, was found with a woman inside his room during hotel quarantine
- Swans learnt of the breach on Friday night and notifed the AFL and WA Police
A Sydney Swans young gun has been suspended for the rest of the AFL season after breaching coronavirus rules by sneaking his partner into hotel quarantine in Western Australia.
Elijah Taylor, 19, was found with the woman inside his room at Joondalup Resort, in Perth, during his team’s mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The Sydney Swans said they learnt of the quarantine breach on Friday night and swiftly notified the AFL and WA Police.
Elijah Taylor (pictured) has been suspended for the rest of the AFL season after breaching coronavirus rules by sneaking his partner into hotel quarantine
The 19-year-old was found with the woman inside his room at Joondalup Resort (pictured), in Perth, during his team’s mandatory 14-day quarantine
WA Police allege the woman entered Taylor’s room during the early hours of Friday morning. She arrived in the state from NSW 14 days earlier and had completed her required self-quarantine period at another location.
‘The AFL directions specify that only authorised persons are permitted to enter the Joondalup Resort during the quarantine period,’ a police statement read.
‘The player’s partner is not an authorised person.’
Taylor, who is from Perth, began isolating with his team on August 7. He has been allowed to remain in the quarantine hub.
His partner was issued a further temporary quarantine direction which will be subject to ongoing review.
Taylor has been suspended from playing for the rest of the season.
Taylor (pictured at the SCG on July 18) has been suspended from playing for the rest of the season. The AFL has also issued a sanction of $50,000, with $25,000 of that suspended
The AFL has also issued a sanction of $50,000, with $25,000 of that suspended. The $25,000 will be included in the Swans’ 2021 soft cap.
Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley said the club is incredibly disappointed by the breach but accepts the penalties.
‘We’re extremely disappointed to be in this position as our staff and players are all well aware of both the AFL protocols and the restrictions we are required to adhere to while in quarantine,’ he said.
‘We have spoken to Elijah at length and he understands the seriousness of this situation, which has also been reiterated to the entire team.
‘We also appreciate that the circumstances of this year are unique and challenging for everyone, and we will continue to provide support to Elijah, as well as our other staff and players who are away from their families.’
Mr Harley also apologised to the WA community.
‘Clearly the restrictions we are adhering to are designed to protect the community and any breach is unacceptable,’ he said.
Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley said Taylor has been spoken to and ‘understands the seriousness of this situation’