Controversial Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has hit out at “the relentless pursuit and persecution of athletes” just days after he was embroiled in yet another off-field scandal.
Video emerged on Friday showing the 26-year-old partying in Bali during his mid-season break.
De Goey’s decision to travel to the tourist hotspot has been heavily criticised considering his previous history of misbehaviour whilst overseas.
In a statement on Saturday, Collingwood confirmed it was “aware” of the footage and would “comment further as soon as it is in a position to do so”.
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In an Instagram post on Saturday, De Goey took aim at the coverage surrounding the video, insinuate the media had created an “uneducated, bias and ill-informed narrative that has gone too far”.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
One of the women depicted in the video of De Goey, Remy Jackson, took to Instagram earlier on Saturday to throw her support behind the embattled forward.
“Hey everyone, I can’t believe the backlash towards Jordy & Myself over here in Bali … nothing to see here”, she posted.
Earlier, AFL great Kane Cornes slammed De Goey’s decision to head to the tourist hotspot.
“How could you think going to Bali in the mid-season break when you’re Jordan De Goey was a good idea?” Cornes told SEN’s Whateley.
“I don’t care. Come for me as hard as you want on this opinion. 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.”
De Goey is expected to return from his holiday on Monday.
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