Victoria Police executed warrants on several properties in Melbourne, Australia, with an AFL (Australian Football League) referee being among those arrested after betting fraud; smartphones and electronic items were also seized, with the four individuals currently in custody and assisting police in their investigation.
The AFL’s highest individual award, the Brownlow Medal is awarded to the fairest and best player in the league during home and away season. It is determined by a 3-2-1 voting system, launched by the officiating field umpires after each match.
The 2022 award was won by Patrick Cripps, who garnered 29 votes, one ahead of 2021 winner Lachie Neale.
“In the days following the 2022 Brownlow Medal count, the AFL was made aware of possible suspicious activity by one of our bookmaker partners and the AFL’s Integrity unit immediately gathered further information,” said Andrew Dillon, AFL General Counsel. EGM Football and the AFL.
“Given the nature of the alleged activity, we have engaged Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police to assist with the matter.”
“I want to emphasize that neither the Victoria Police nor the AFL have information to suggest that the Brownlow Medal result was impacted, as the allegations relate only to the leaking or improper communication of the 3-2-1 voting results of some specific games. during the season”.
“After the game, Brownlow’s votes are sealed and stored in a secure location off-site and are not opened until they are officially delivered. Sealed voting cards are audited throughout the season by KPMG,” added Dillon.
Victoria Police even issued a statement: “It is alleged that a person with knowledge of the count of these votes distributed the information to a group of known persons.”
“Police are investigating how many games may have had votes released, and exactly how much money was awarded from betting. At this stage, police have no information to suggest that the outcome of the votes was impacted, as the allegations relate only to the distribution of information”.
