Given the extraordinary level of public interest in the Sam Powell-Pepper investigation, Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas has issued the following statement:
“This has been a difficult investigation for all involved.
“We acknowledge that it has taken longer to reach a conclusion than preferred and both Sam and the Club acknowledge Sam’s behavior was inappropriate and accept the penalty.
“However, there were many elements to this incident that needed to be fully understood before a decision could be fairly reached.
“We are looking forward to discussing these issues in some detail at tomorrow’s media conference.
“Of most importance to Sam, the AFLPA and the Port Adelaide Football Club was the AFL’s finding that there was no evidence or suggestion of sexual or indecent assault, as has been speculated by some media outlets throughout the investigation.
“We look forward to providing an accurate assessment of the incident tomorrow.”
Earlier today, the AFL Integrity Department’s investigation into an incident involving Sam Powell-Pepper at an Adelaide bar on Saturday 7 April concluded.
The AFL handed Powell-Pepper a three AFL game sanction, a sanction which Powell-Pepper has accepted.
Powell-Pepper’s sanction includes the AFL games he missed in Rounds 4 and 5 while the investigation was
Powell-Pepper will then be available for selection for Port Adelaide’s AFL Round 7 game against West Coast.
