St Kilda’s Stephen Milne will not play this Saturday, the club’s board has decided.
It’s unlikely he will play again this season.
Milne was charged with four counts of rape this week and the Saints board met on Tuesday night to discuss the crisis.
“The Board acknowledges this is a most serious matter, one that is distressing to all the parties involved,” it said in a statement this afternoon.
“It also recognises that the extended timeframe of the matter and the complexities of the issues involved, make it without precedent.
“In considering the matter the Board has been mindful of the rights and obligations of everyone impacted.
“Based on this the Board has resolved that in the best interests of all parties concerned, and the duty of care the Club has to Stephen and his family, Stephen will remain a listed player but will take a leave of absence from playing for an indefinite period.
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“The St Kilda Football Club respects that this matter is now before the Courts. As a consequence we won’t be making any further comment at this time.”
Earlier today Saints captain Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo said they wanted their teammate playing in their milestone AFL match this Saturday.
Riewoldt and Dal Santo play their 250th games in the Saturday twilight match against Melbourne at the MCG, while Sean Dempster reaches 150 matches.
“Milney is the absolute heart and soul of the football club and everyone knows how passionate he is and what the football club in particular means to him,” Riewoldt told SEN radio.
“If he feels like he can contribute and he can put it to the side and go out for two hours, which he’s stated unequivocally that he’s going to be able to do and he wants to do, then I think that’s where it should stay.”
Dal Santo also hopes Milne can play against the Demons.
“He’s a quality person and we support him fully, and it’d be great to have him out there,” Dal Santo said.
But Riewoldt acknowledged that others would starkly disagree with their enthusiasm for Milne to stay in the side.
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“Certainly I understand because this a difficult time for everyone,” he said.
The charges stem from an alleged incident a few days before the start of the 2004 season.
Milne and fellow Saint Leigh Montagna were investigated and no charges were laid.
But Victoria Police decided to review the case after concerns were raised about the initial investigation.
“Clearly it’s rocked him but this has been hanging over his head in one way, shape or form for nine years,” Riewoldt said.
“I think to do what he’s done over that period of time on the field is a credit to him and the support he’s had from his family.”
The 33-year-old Saints star will face court on July 5.
The Saints indefinitely suspended Andrew Lovett on Christmas Eve 2009 after it emerged he was under police investigation and sacked him two months later when he was charged with rape.
They said he made multiple breaches of his playing contract in his short time at the club.
Lovett was subsequently found not guilty of two rape charges.
Last October, the Saints also sacked Jason Gram because of his off-field behaviour.
Milne is a two-time All-Australian small forward who has kicked 564 goals in 268 games since his 2001 senior debut.
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