The World Surf League has provisionally suspended Alan Cleland Jnr after it was made aware of allegations of a sexual assault involving an NSW teenager at a private gathering in Tahiti in August. Three other alleged perpetrators are not affiliated with the league.
The World Surf League confirmed on Sunday that a competitor on the 2026 Men's Championship Tour had been suspended after the league was made aware of "allegations of a deeply serious nature". Cleland, 24, has been suspended from all WSL events after the league's Discipline Committee issued a provisional suspension.
The allegations relate to conduct at a private gathering that was not affiliated with the competition. The Championship Tour's seventh stop of 2026 was held at the Teahupo'o wave in Tahiti from August 8 to August 18, the same venue that hosted surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Although the WSL did not name Cleland, he has been removed from the competition rankings and from the website of his major sponsor, Quiksilver. Cleland joined the tour last year and competed for Mexico at the 2024 Olympics.
"The WSL is continuing to follow its process and has offered assistance to relevant authorities," the statement said.
Spokespeople for NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police said the matter was being dealt with by local police in French Polynesia. French Polynesian police said they could not confirm whether an investigation was under way.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A Championship Tour surfer has been removed from competition before any criminal finding, showing how quickly sponsors and sporting bodies are reacting to the allegation.
- The alleged offence involves an Australian teenager but occurred in French Polynesia, leaving the question of which jurisdiction will investigate unresolved, with NSW Police and the AFP deferring to local authorities.
- The case tests how the WSL handles off-competition conduct, since the gathering was private and not affiliated with league events.
Background
The WSL Championship Tour is the top tier of professional surfing, and Teahupo'o is one of its most well-known waves. Cleland joined the tour last year and represented Mexico at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The WSL runs its own discipline process, which can act separately from any criminal proceedings.
Key Perspectives
World Surf League: Issued a provisional suspension after being informed of the allegations, said it is continuing to follow its process, and has offered assistance to relevant authorities. It emphasised the gathering was private and not affiliated with the competition.
Australian police: NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police said the matter is being dealt with by police in French Polynesia.
French Polynesian police: Could not confirm whether an investigation is under way.
Observers: The suspension is provisional and no investigation has been confirmed, so the key open questions are whether charges will follow and how the league's disciplinary process concludes.
What to Watch
- Whether French Polynesian police confirm an investigation or lay charges.
- The outcome of the WSL Discipline Committee's review, which will determine if the provisional suspension becomes permanent.
- Whether the three other alleged perpetrators, who are not affiliated with the league, face any police action.