16 footballers arrested for raping two women

Australian police on Tuesday arrested 16 suburban league footballers for allegedly raping two women at a tourist spot in Phillip Island earlier this month.

The men, aged between 17 and 20, were taken into custody after raids on four properties in Montmorency, Bundoora and Briar Hill early this morning, 'The Age' said in a report today, adding that they are being quizzed by the sexual crimes squad.

The accused, members of the Northern Football League, formerly known as the Diamond Valley Football League, had allegedly sexually assaulted two women at Phillip Island near Melbourne on October 10.

Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Glenn Davies said violence against women would not be tolerated and such crimes would be thoroughly investigated.

"I encourage all women who are victims of sexual assault to report these offences to police," he said.