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AFL rape case revealed in Hawaii
By Padraic Murphy and Richard Sproull
May 5, 2004
THE Australian Federal Police have helped US authorities investigate a previously undisclosed allegation of gang rape by Australian footballers.
Claims ... Hawthorn players have been implicated.
A Los Angeles woman holidaying in Hawaii in 1999 complained local police that she had been gang-raped by footballers from the Hawthorn AFL club.
Confirmation of the allegation comes after months of pressure on the football codes to crack down on players' off-field behaviour and a string of sexual assault allegations.
The AFP yesterday confirmed it had received a request for assistance from Honolulu police after the woman complained she was raped by four players.
"In October 1999 the AFP received a request for assistance via its post in Los Angeles from the Honolulu Police Department," an AFP spokeswoman said last night.
"The request related to an allegation of multiple rape made by an American woman who was holidaying in Hawaii at the same time as a Melbourne-based AFL club was on an end-of-season trip."
The spokeswoman said the AFP provided assistance, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further because the AFP was not the lead agency on the case.
Honolulu police could not be contacted last night.
The Australian has been told the Los Angeles woman said she had been raped by four players from the club.
It is believed the players allegedly involved travelled to Hawaii to attend the wedding of then Hawthorn team-mate Daniel Chick.
The Hawthorn Football Club released a statement last night confirming it had been made aware of the allegation and said the club had assisted fully with all inquiries.
"And subsequently we were advised the allegation was unsubstantiated and unfounded," chief executive Steven Leighton said.
A spokeswoman was unable to say whether the club or players had been interviewed by Honolulu police.
An AFL spokesman said last night he was unable to comment on the new claims.
A result in the police investigation into St Kilda players Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna is expected soon.
Last week six players from the Canterbury Bulldogs avoided being charged after a 20-year-old complained to police she had been gang-raped at a Coffs Harbour hotel.
And former AFL player Adam Heuskes is considering defamation action against the ABC after its Four Corners program reported in graphic detail allegations he had been involved in the rape of two women.
The Australian
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