Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has pleaded guilty to a harassment charge following a brawl at a New York bar.
The 25-year-old has been ordered to attend 10 alcohol and anger management sessions after appearing via videolink at Manhattan’s Criminal Court on Friday.
De Goey had been charged over an alleged assault at the PHD Rooftop Lounge on top of The Dream Hotel, in Manhattan, on Halloween.
The midfielder-forward claimed he acted in self defence when he got into a brawl sparked by a woman stealing his drinks at a New York nightclub.
Collingwood star Jordan Dr Goey has pleaded guilty to a harassment charge following a brawl at a New York bar
The Magpies star and his friend, tattoo artist Luke Dyson, were partying at the Manhatten bar in October
De Goey pleaded guilty to a second-degree harassment violation, which does not carry a criminal conviction.
‘I would like to apologise for my actions and I appreciate the process going forward,’ De Goey told the court.
Judge Martinez Alonso asked De Goey if he had threatened and ‘struck another individual’.
‘Yes that’s correct,’ De Goey said.
De Goey had travelled to the US during the last AFL off-season to undergo an intensive fitness program at the W Training Facility in California in an attempt to capitalise on an outstanding end to the 2021 competition.
The Magpies star and his friend, tattoo artist Luke Dyson, were partying at the Manhatten bar in October.
They claimed a woman and her friends entered a private VIP roped-off area twice to steal their drinks.
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De Goey claimed the woman and her friends were told to leave the area and but he was challenged by one of the woman’s male friends.
He claimed the man who was with the woman pushed him twice before he retaliated by allegedly punching him.
Charges he ‘forcibly touched’ the woman were later dropped but a charge of assault and harassment remained until his guilty plea to the lesser harassment charge.
De Goey rejoined his teammates at Collingwood training on January 21 after the club stood him down.
The Magpies stressed the 25-year-old needed to change his behaviour more generally, noting the incident in New York had ‘not been the club’s only consideration’ in deciding to stand De Goey down.
The midfielder-forward pleaded guilty to a second-degree harassment violation, which does not carry a criminal conviction
The Magpies stressed the 25-year-old needed to change his behaviour more generally, noting the incident in New York had ‘not been the club’s only consideration’ in deciding to stand De Goey down
‘Club officials have spoken at length with Jordan about the situation and his behaviour more generally, and he recognises that change is necessary,’ chief executive officer Mark Anderson said in a statement on Thursday night.
‘He also understands that his actions from here will need to be evidence of that change. The responsibility to rebuild trust is his to carry and he fully understands the consequences of any future issue.’
Collingwood said De Goey’s return hinged on ‘acceptance of continuing and further support off-field and full co-operation with health professionals providing such support’.
He would also be required to take on permanent, part-time work with the Salvation Army.
The uniquely talented utility has played 118 games and kicked 155 goals for Collingwood after debuting in 2015.
The uniquely talented utility has played 118 games and kicked 155 goals for Collingwood after debuting in 2015
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