Werribee and North Melbourne footballer Majak Daw has been charged with three counts of rape relating to an alleged sexual assault in Altona Meadows in 2007.
Detectives filed a charges summons at court on Monday and Daw was expected to be served with a summons yesterday.
Fairfax Media reported earlier this month that Daw, who played his junior football with Wyndham Vale Falcons, had been arrested and interviewed in May over offences allegedly committed in 2007.
Daw, 23, has reportedly denied the allegations.
North Melbourne said it would support Daw and he would remain available for AFL and VFL selection.
Werribee Football Club chief executive Mark Penaluna said Daw was a “required player” and would be selected by the club if he was available.
A police spokeswoman confirmed detectives from the sex crimes unit had charged a Wyndham Vale man, 23, with three counts of rape.
A filing hearing is scheduled for July 11.
“The charges relate to an alleged historical assault in Altona North in 2007. As the matter is before the courts, Victoria Police will not be making any further comment,” the spokeswoman said.
Wyndham resident Richard Deng, who moved to Australia from Sudan three years ago, said he was disappointed to hear the news.
“Everyone loves Majak. He has opened many doors for Sudanese people and it is like any local hero – you don’t want to see them fall from grace,” Mr Deng said.
“At this stage he is still innocent, though, until it’s proven otherwise. He is still Majak.’’
Daw, the first Sudanese-born player to play AFL, joined North Melbourne as a rookie in 2010 and plays with the Werribee Tigers when not in the senior Kangaroos side.
– With The Age
