The AFL have taken over the investigation into the alleged lewd behaviour from Hawthorn star Jonathan Patton, a Hawks official has confirmed.
Patton was stood down by Hawthorn after accusations emerged from several women that the key forward sent unwanted lewd images over social media.
Hawthorn's Integrity Committee initially took control of the investigation, but the club's new Head of Football Rob McCartney confirmed the league's governing body has decided to take over the process.
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McCartney also revealed the 27-year-old was still dealing with mental health issues and that he would speak to the AFL when he is comfortable.
"On the other side we have Jon, who’s needing some medical attention to look after his wellbeing and he continues to get that and at the point when he’s at a ready to have a conversation with the AFL, that’ll take place and then they’ll make some decisions on what the outcomes are," McCartney told 3AW Sportsday.
"We’ll let the AFL play their part, but what we do know is Jon is a player of ours who needs our support but also those who made the alleged statements who need to be considered and the football club is very mindful of that as well.
"At the moment the AFL is investigating and they’ll make a finding based on those recommendations."
Patton was accused by multiple women of lewd conduct, with two coming forward to Australian media outlets last month.
Speaking to Nine News, Elle Conan explained she made it clear to Patton that his sexually explicit content wasn't wanted but the power forward continued to send lewd messages.
"Basically from the get-go he was talking to me in such a sexual nature that I never reciprocated. He would send me photos of him in bed exposed," Conan said after coming forward following the initial allegations.
"I would make it really clear that I didn’t want that from him."
Another accuser, Jacqueline Kearton, told her story separately via Seven News, revealing Patton was setting a bad example for his team-mates with the 'uncomfortable' content he sent her.
"He just needs to be made an example of so these young guys who are coming up and looking at these older players think they’d better not do that sort of stuff," Kearton said.
"Unfortunately it’s not something that’s uncommon but it makes you feel uncomfortable."
Patton has since deleted his social media accounts in the wake of the accusations.
