The Brisbane Lions have suspended forward Brendan Fevola indefinitely pending an investigation by the AFL.
The club was advised of an incident alleging inappropriate behaviour including alleged indecent exposure involving Fevola at a non-club function last weekend.
Lions CEO Michael Bowers said a man had rung the club to complain about Fevola’s inappropriate behaviour towards his wife when the couple and two of their four children were at a function attended by Fevola and several other Lions players.
Bowers said the club spoke with the man and then immediately alerted the AFL which began an investigation into the incident.
After speaking with AFL investigators the family also approached Queensland police.
"Respect and responsibility towards women is something that this club thinks is non-negotiable," Bowers said.
"We feel that the allegation is a very serious one and we think if the behaviour is as described, then it's unacceptable behaviour for anyone in football."
"While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the Brisbane Lions Football Club wants to make clear it is taking this incident seriously and feels the only proper course of action is to suspend Brendan immediately from all club activity until such time as the AFL and police have had an opportunity to investigate the matter further."
"The club will continue to cooperate fully with the AFL and any Queensland police investigation."
"As a result of the suspension, Brendan will not be attending our Club Champion event tomorrow night."
Bowers said there was no suggestion that the other players who were at the function had been involved in or had witnessed the alleged incident.
The Lions will wait until any investigations are complete before deciding on any further action.
Traded to Brisbane in last year's trade period, Fevola was effectively dumped by his former club Carlton which was fed up with his shameful record of off-field scandals, most of them alcohol-fuelled.
They included urinating in a Prahran shop door front, parading sex aids in public on Mad Monday, the dissemination of nude photographs of former lover Lara Bingle and last year's drunken antics at the Brownlow Medal count.
Fevola has played 204 AFL matches - 17 for the Lions and 187 for the Blues whom he represented for a decade after being acquired from the Dandenong Under 18s with selection No.38 at the 1998 national draft.