An Australian rules football official has been apprehended in connection with a probe into questionable wagering actions linked to the 2022 Brownlow Medal tally.
The official was among four individuals detained after law enforcement executed search warrants at various sites throughout Melbourne. Mobile phones and digital devices were confiscated, and the four individuals are presently in detention aiding law enforcement with their investigation.
The Brownlow Medal is the most esteemed individual honor in the Australian Football League, bestowed upon the “most fair and best” player in the league during the regular season. The victor is determined by a 3-2-1 vote cast by the officiating field umpires following each match.
The 2022 accolade was earned by Patrick Cripps, who concluded with 29 votes, a mere single vote ahead of 2022 recipient Lachie Neale.
“The AFL Integrity Unit was alerted to potential dubious activity through a notification from one of our wagering agency associates shortly after the culmination of the 2022 Brownlow Medal count and promptly collected additional information,” stated Andrew Dillon, AFL Executive General Counsel, Football, Legal and Integrity.
“Considering the character of the alleged activity, we enlisted Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police to provide assistance with the situation.”
Its crucial to highlight that neither the Victoria Police Department nor the Australian Football League have discovered any proof that the Brownlow Medal outcomes were manipulated. The accusations merely indicate that the 3-2-1 vote tallies for particular games this season were disclosed or disseminated inappropriately.
Following each match, the Brownlow ballots are secured and kept off-premises in a protected area. They are only unsealed on Brownlow evening during the event. These sealed votes undergo audits throughout the season conducted by KPMG.
The Victoria Police Department stated: “It is alleged that an individual possessing knowledge of the voting count for these matches divulged the information to individuals known to them.
“Law enforcement is investigating the number of matches potentially compromised and any potential gambling gains. Currently, the police have not found any evidence to suggest the vote results were influenced, with the allegations focusing solely on the communication of information.”
