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28 March 2024

Aussie Rules player charged with rape

Sudan-born Aussie Rules footballer Majak Daw. (FACEBOOK)

Published
By AFP

Sudan-born Australian Rules player Majak Daw has been charged with three counts of rape over an alleged incident in 2007, the club said on Tuesday.

Daw, 23, who made headlines as the first Sudanese player in the Australian Football League, was charged on Monday.

"The North Melbourne Football Club can confirm Majak Daw has been charged by Victoria Police in relation to an alleged sexual offence in 2007," it said in a statement.

"The club respects the integrity of the legal process and asks the right to privacy of all involved be respected.

"North Melbourne will support Majak and he will remain available for selection."

Daw, who fled to Australia with his family from civil war-torn Sudan in 2003, had been seen as one of the feel-good stories in Australian sport.

He broke through last year, thrilling fans with his athleticism, with the club believing he could develop into something special, although he has struggled of late.

At the time of winning a first team place, Daw said he wanted to become a role model for the growing Sudanese community in Australia, numbering more than 22,000 in the 2011 census.

"For someone of my background, I'd love to think that I could one day be a role model to the Sudanese community," said Daw, who has reportedly denied the allegations.

Aussie Rules is hugely popular in Australia, although the sport has been tarnished recently by doping allegations.

Last month, alleged breaches of anti-doping rules were levelled against 34 AFL players following a 16-month investigation.