Surfer faces suspension after assault allegations emerge
The World Surf League suspended surfer Alan Cleland Jr, 24, after sexual assault allegations against an Australian teenager.
Cleland competed for Mexico at the 2024 Olympics and won gold at the 2023 World Games. Cleland faces allegations from an August incident at a private gathering in French Polynesia.
Cleland is one of four men being looked into by French Polynesian police. The alleged victim is from NSW.
The WSL removed him from competition rankings and from sponsor Quicksilver's website. The league said all surfers must follow conduct rules at all times.
The league gave him a temporary suspension and offered to help police. Cleland was not set to compete again until December's Pipe Masters in Hawaii.
His father was also a pro surfer.
- Alan Cleland Jr, 24
- Suspended athlete
- Private gathering, French Polynesia
- Incident location
- December Pipe Masters, Oahu Hawaii
- Next scheduled event
Why it mattersThe suspension shows that sports bodies will act on serious claims, even for incidents outside official events.
AustraliaAn Australian teenager is at the centre of a police investigation in French Polynesia involving an Olympic athlete.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 12 h ago
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