A former Melbourne Demons rookie has launched a lawsuit in opposition to the AFL with bombshell allegations he was raped as a teenage footballer.
Daniel Hayes has filed paperwork with Victorian Supreme Court in search of damages from the league and former elite junior coach Mark Heaney.
The 34-year-old Indigenous man alleges he was raped by Heaney whereas attending a barbecue at Heaney’s home in 2015. Hayes alleges Heaney — the AFL’s Northern New South Wales regional supervisor between 2009 and 2013 — received him drunk earlier than he was sexually assaulted.
Heaney was Hayes’ assistant coach on the Eastern Ranges in the course of the 2005 season.
Hayes claims the AFL — as operator of the Eastern Ranges soccer membership on the time — failed in its obligation of care to guard him.
Victoria Police have mentioned an investigation into the matter stays ongoing.
Heaney has publicly denied the claims. No prices have been laid.
Heaney has responded to the allegations, telling the ABC: “I deny that. I had a professional relationship with him as a trainee and player”.
Hayes, nevertheless, has now spoken out for the primary time, telling 9News he walked out on his dream due to the continued trauma.
“I hit rock bottom, I’ve got five kids who I don’t see,” he mentioned.
He additionally mentioned: “It derailed everything, I walked out of my dream.”
Hayes was drafted by the Melbourne Demons in the course of the 2006 AFL rookie draft in December that 12 months, however was delisted by the soccer membership in his first season with out taking part in a senior recreation of soccer.
Hayes admits he repeatedly skipped coaching periods.
The courtroom paperwork filed within the Victorian Supreme Court allege Hayes turned to medicine and alcohol to manage.
He says within the paperwork filed by his legal professionals he additionally tried suicide on account of the alleged incident.
“As a result of the abuse, (Hayes) self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. He has made three suicide attempts,” the paperwork state.
His lawyer Aleksandar Dukovski mentioned Hayes would have continued his soccer profession with the Melbourne Demons if not for the alleged rape.
“The AFL had a duty of care to protect Daniel and a duty of care to make sure he was safe while trusting them to help him through his professional career,” Dukovski informed Nine.
Heaney was in 2014 sentenced to serve a 12-month jail sentence after he was discovered responsible of sending nude pictures to a 13-year-old footballer.
One image confirmed Heaney mendacity down bare with one hand over his penis, in response to the boy.
Source: www.news.com.au
