World Surf League Suspends Alan Cleland Jr Over Assault Allegations

A professional surfing career has been disrupted after the World Surf League (WSL) provisionally suspended Mexican competitor Alan Cleland Jr over allegations of sexual assault involving a teenager from New South Wales, Australia. The alleged incident occurred during a private gathering in Tahiti in August 2026, separate from an official competition, while local authorities in French Polynesia are handling the matter.

Cleland, 24, joined the WSL Championship Tour in 2025 and represented Mexico at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Although the league did not identify the suspended competitor in its public statement, Cleland was subsequently removed from its competition rankings and disappeared from the website of his major sponsor, Quiksilver, according to reports by The Sydney Morning Herald and nine.com.au.

The WSL confirmed that its disciplinary committee had imposed a provisional suspension following notification of serious allegations. The measure bars the competitor from participating in WSL events while the organization follows its procedures.

In its public statement, the league described the allegations and clarified the circumstances surrounding the gathering.

"The World Surf League confirms that a competitor on the 2026 Men's Championship Tour has been suspended after the WSL was recently made aware of allegations of a deeply serious nature involving the competitor. The allegations involve conduct in relation to a private gathering in Tahiti in August. The gathering was not affiliated with the WSL.

All WSL competitors are bound by the conduct standards outlined in the WSL Rule Book, at all times. After being informed of the allegations, the WSL Discipline Committee took prompt action and issued a provisional suspension to the competitor from all WSL events." the World Surf League said.

The organization also stated that it remained committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport and was assisting the relevant authorities. The alleged incident took place around the period of the 2026 Championship Tour's seventh stop at Teahupo'o, held from August 8 through August 18.

According to reporting cited by The Inertia, the allegations involve an Australian teenage female surfer and at least three men. The other three alleged individuals are not affiliated with the WSL, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Tahitian longboarder and photographer Vaimiti Teiefitu also addressed the incident in Instagram stories. She said she was waiting for more reliable information before publicly identifying anyone involved.

"Recently, something extremely disturbing happened here in Teahupo'o, involving a young girl. I'm still waiting to learn more about the situation, but what I've heard is deeply concerning, especially knowing that the three people reportedly involved are known in the community." Teiefitu wrote.

In a separate statement, Teiefitu described her connection to the local surfing community and explained why the allegations were particularly troubling to her.

"To the people involved: I know you're watching these stories. We work in the same place, in the water, photographing the waves. The fact I'm not sharing names yet doesn't mean I never will.

This is a very serious story, and while I have no doubt that it is real, I'm waiting for more precise information and documented facts before naming anyone publicly.....This story hits especially close to home. I've spent time in the water with you, as a woman, and often the only woman out there, photographing the waves." Teiefitu wrote.

NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that the matter was being handled by police in French Polynesia. French Polynesian police said they could not confirm whether an investigation was underway.

The Inertia reported that no charges had been filed at the time of publication and that Cleland had not been convicted of a crime. The outlet said it had contacted Cleland and the WSL for comment but had not received a response.

Cleland was scheduled to compete next at the Pipe Masters in December 2026. His eligibility to retain his place on the Championship Tour remained uncertain if the suspension continued.