Nathan Broad has been suspended for three matches by his AFL club Richmond for his role in the topless medal photo scandal.

Tigers president Peggy O’Neal announced the ban on Monday morning, appearing alongside the apologetic defender at a press conference at Punt Road Oval.

The unidentified woman in the picture has dropped her complaint to police, but she released a statement on Monday saying she had been assured by the player – who she knew – that the photo had been deleted from his phone.

Neither Broad nor O’Neal took questions after each made a brief statement.

“I take full responsibility for what I have done,” Broad said.

“I sent a very private picture without this young woman’s consent.

“I’m ashamed and I’m embarrassed that I made a very bad drunken decision.

“Not only have I let down my family, my friends and the Richmond football club but most of all I let down a young woman who I cared about – a young woman who I spent time with before the grand final and a young woman who I like and respect.”