Retired Collingwood legend Dane Swan has released a statement condemning the release of a lewd tape and reported the release of the video to police.

The footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows the Brownlow Medallist naked and kissing a woman.

Swan did not appear in his regular spot on Channel 9’s AFL Footy Show on Thursday evening, but host Eddie McGuire read out a statement on his behalf.

“I have recently become aware of a video of me being published and circulated on the internet,” the Swan statement read. “Contrary to some media reports, the video is not a ‘sex tape’. Although the video was taken a long time ago, it has been posted and distributed only recently.

“It was taken and distributed without my consent. The distribution is a gross breach of my privacy. As it is illegal to distribute such material online without consent I have reported the matter to police, who are investigating the distribution.

“As the matter is under investigation, I have no further comment at this time and ask that my privacy be respected.”

McGuire said he had spoken to Swan and “naturally, he was devastated”. Other media outlets reported he was “distressed” and “furious”.

Victoria Police confirmed on Thursday the matter was being investigated.

Swan’s manager Liam Pickering also issued a statement to the AFL Footy Show, calling out “double standards” in the media.

“In other similar incidents often with a female victim the media has been keen to protect the victim’s identity,” Pickering’s statement read.

“Although Dane understands he is a public figure, he is the victim in this case and no less deserving of that protection.

“There is a double standard where the media feels free to name him and engage in a feeding frenzy of commentary and speculation about the circumstances, rather than allow him the privacy any victim in such circumstances is entitled to have.

“The media do not know the circumstances and we will take action against anyone who speculates unfairly about them.”

Watch the segment below:

"It was taken and distributed without my consent. The distribution is a gross breach of my privacy." – Dane Swan #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/K2igko2ByF

— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 3, 2018