An umpire is among four men arrested over accusations of an AFL Brownlow Medal tally betting ring.
Detectives from Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit arrested and interviewed four men on Monday over dubious betting activity connected to this season’s medal count.
“In the days following the 2022 Brownlow Medal count, the AFL was made aware of potential suspicious activity by one of our betting agency partners and the AFL Integrity unit immediately gathered further information,” the AFL’s general counsel Andrew Dillon said in a statement.
The AFL’s integrity unit worked with the betting agency to gather further information alongside Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police.
Police are investigating how many matches may have had votes released and exactly how much money was awarded from the bets.
At this stage, authorities have no information to suggest the outcome of the votes were impacted.
“The allegations relate solely to the leaking or improper communication of the three, two, one voting outcomes of some specific matches during the season,” Mr Dillon said.
“Post-game, the Brownlow votes are sealed and stored in a secure off-site location and not opened until they are delivered on stage on Brownlow night. The sealed vote cards are audited throughout the season by KPMG.”
The league said police confirmed to it that one of the four men interviewed and since released was a football umpire.
Detectives executed warrants on Monday at homes in across Melbourne, including at Glenroy, Kilsyth, Oak Park, Drouin, Craigieburn and Doreen. They seized several mobile phones and electronic items.
A 32-year-old Glenroy man was interviewed over the offence of engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome. He is expected to be charged on summons.
A second 32-year-old man from Glenroy was interviewed on the offence of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. He is expected to be charged on summons.
A 27-year-old Drouin man was interviewed for the offence of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes and is expected to be charged on summons.
The final man, a 29-year-old from Oak Park, was interviewed on the offence of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes and was released pending further inquiries.
The offences carry up to 10 years in jail.
“Victorians are well known for their love of AFL and in particular, the prestigious Brownlow Medal award, but equally they want to know that there is integrity, fairness and honesty behind this award,” Commander Deb Robertson said in a statement.
Sport Integrity Australia confirmed it was supporting Victoria Police and the AFL in the inquiry, but did not comment further.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps won this year’s medal, polling 29 votes.
He beat 2020 winner Lachie Neale (28 votes), Gold Coast star Touk Miller (27 votes) and Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw (25 votes).
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website.
-AAP
