Leaking tallies
Police in Victoria have arrested four people, including an Australian Football League (AFL) umpire, for allegedly giving insider information on tallies for the Brownlow Medal race to a betting ring.
the most prestigious individual award in the sport
The Brownlow Medal is the most prestigious individual award in the sport, awarded to the player who is deemed to be the “best and fairest” in the most recent season. Three umpires after each game will submit a vote, which are added up at the end of the season.
Detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit made the four arrests on Monday. Investigations appear to be ongoing to determine the extent of the leaks, as well as how much money was won through the wagers.
No evidence of tampering
There is no evidence as of yet that the vote’s outcome was impacte. Each of the four arrested men has been released from police custody after being interviewed. Four homes in Melbourne were subject to searches; detectives seized numerous electronic items and mobile phones.
could face up to ten years in prison
The specific offenses that are under investigation include conduct that could corrupt the outcome of an event and the use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. People found guilty of these offenses could face up to ten years in prison.
Talking about the importance of the investigation was Victoria Police Intelligence & Covert Support Command commander Deb Robertson, who said that it is vital that people know that there is “integrity, fairness and honesty” behind the Brownlow Medal.
Full compliance from the AFL
The AFL confirmed that an umpire was one of the four arrested men. In a statement, AFL general counsel and executive general manager of football Andrew Dillon said: “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.”
Dillon confirmed that the AFL complied with the investigation and reiterated that there is no evidence that the outcome of the Brownlow Medal is in question. He explained that Brownlow votes get fully sealed and stored after games in an off-site secure location and are not opened until the ceremony. KPMG audits the sealed cards during the course of the season.