Swimming Australia stands down its president after allegations of inappropriate behavior

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Swimming Australia’s controversial year out of the pool has got worse with president Barclay Nettlefold stood down on Saturday over allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female team consultant.

The Swimming Australia board began to look into the comment on Friday but took further action today when another staff member came forward with a similar complaint.

Nicole Livingstone, a spokeswoman for Swimming Australia, said in a statement outside the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre:

“The Swimming Australia board has today made the decision to stand down President Barclay Nettlefold pending an independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate comments made to staff.

“The Swimming Australia board was today provided with new information about a separate allegation of inappropriate comments in addition to the one that is already being handled through our member welfare policy.

“The board takes these allegations of inappropriate comments seriously and as such has made the decision that the president steps down to enable a full and independent review to be undertaken.”