Jordan De Goey has hit back at the criticism he received for partying in Bali, claiming the ‘relentless persecution of athletes’ could ‘end in tragedy’ if players aren’t prepared to speak up.
The Collingwood star found himself again under the spotlight off the field after footage emerged on social media on Friday of him dancing in a nightlife hotspot on the Indonesian island with two women.
According to the Herald Sun, the since-deleted video showed De Goey carving up the dancefloor and mimicking a sexual act with his tongue to the camera, as well as attempting to expose a woman’s breast as she laid on the bar.
Jordan De Goey has hit back at the criticism he received for partying in Bali this week
The 26-year-old has faced criticism for his booze-fuelled antics, particularly given his track record off the field.
The gun midfielder, however, fired straight back at his detractors with a statement on Instagram released on Saturday, in which he attacked the media for creating ‘ill-informed’ narratives.
It is understood Collingwood did not expect him to make a statement of any kind.
‘I want to take the opportunity to thank my family, friends and supporters who have checked in or sent messages of support in the past 24 hours,’ he wrote.
De Goey fired back at this critics with a strongly-worded statement on Instagram
‘I want to openly address the relentless pursuit and persecution of athletes by the media to create an uneducated, bias and ill-informed narrative that has gone too far.
The Magpies star was spotted partying in a Bali nightclub on Thursday night
De Goey was accompanied by two women as he carved up the dance floor in Bali
‘I am one of the lucky ones with amazing support, however not all athletes are so lucky. This will end in tragedy if no one speaks up. It’s time for change.’
Remy Jackson, one of the women who appeared in the video, also took to Instagram to support the Collingwood star.
‘I can’t believe the backlash towards Jordy & Myself over here in Bali […] nothing to see here,’ she wrote.
De Goey was arrested at a night club in New York City in October last year and charged with forcible touching of a 35-year-old woman and the assault of a 37-year-old man.
Footage shows the 26-year-old making rude gestures towards the camera
De Goey reportedly traveled to Bali on Monday, after the Pies gave their players 12 days off
He was temporarily stood down by Collingwood until the former charge was dropped.
In January, the Pies reinstated him after he agreed to a plea bargain to downgrade the remaining assault charge to second-degree harassment.
Following the New York incident, the club ordered De Goey to undergo an alcohol rehabilitation program but it is understood it did not ban him from visiting nightclubs.
The Pies gave players 12 days off and are understood to be aware of De Goey’s trip.
Remy Jackson (pictured) is one of the women seen partying with De Goey in the video that has kicked off a scandal in the AFL
She backed De Goey and branded the controversy a storm in a teacup in a message to her 15,000 Instagram followers on Saturday
‘No issue from the club. He’s continued to train whilst on his mid-season break over there and is focused on the rest of the season,’ De Goey’s manager, Ryan Vague, told the Herald Sun on Friday.
De Goey is expected to fly back to Melbourne on Sunday with Collingwood set to return to training the following day.
His holiday in Bali has attracted plenty of criticism from former AFL players, who suggested the Magpies star had lacked ‘common sense’ by travelling to a nightlife hotspot.
‘I think in this situation with his history, the common sense would be to stay out of the public spotlight,’ Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy.
De Goey was arrested during a trip to New York City last year and temporarily stood down by the Magpies until one of the two charges was dropped
‘It’s probably best to travel domestically or, if you’re overseas, make sure you’re off social media, stay out of the limelight.’
His colleague Nick Riewoldt added: ‘Every player is entitled to go overseas if they want in the break, but it’s a choice. […] I think in this case Jordan has chosen indulgence over discipline.’
Speaking on SEN’s Whateley Kane Cornes was even more blunt: ‘It is a stupid thing for Jordan De Goey to do to go to Bali at this stage of his career and at this stage of the season.’
Ninth-placed Collingwood return to action on June 26 when they host GWS as they look to win a fifth consecutive game.
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