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An Australian Soccer League umpire is on the heart of an alleged insider info betting scandal. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Leaking tallies
Police in Victoria have arrested 4 individuals, together with an Australian Soccer League (AFL) umpire, for allegedly giving insider info on tallies for the Brownlow Medal race to a betting ring.
essentially the most prestigious particular person award within the sport
The Brownlow Medal is essentially the most prestigious particular person award within the sport, awarded to the participant who’s deemed to be the “finest and fairest” in the latest season. Three umpires after every recreation will submit a vote, that are added up on the finish of the season.
Detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit made the 4 arrests on Monday. Investigations look like ongoing to find out the extent of the leaks, in addition to how a lot cash was received by means of the wagers.
No proof of tampering
There isn’t any proof as of but that the vote’s end result was impacte. Every of the 4 arrested males has been launched from police custody after being interviewed. 4 houses in Melbourne have been topic to searches; detectives seized quite a few digital objects and cellphones.
might resist ten years in jail
The specific offenses that are under investigation embrace conduct that would corrupt the end result of an occasion and the usage of corrupt conduct info for betting functions. Individuals discovered responsible of those offenses might resist ten years in jail.
Speaking in regards to the significance of the investigation was Victoria Police Intelligence & Covert Help Command commander Deb Robertson, who mentioned that it’s important that individuals know that there’s “integrity, equity and honesty” behind the Brownlow Medal.
Full compliance from the AFL
The AFL confirmed that an umpire was one of many 4 arrested males. In a press release, AFL common counsel and government common supervisor of soccer Andrew Dillon mentioned: “Within the days following the 2022 Brownlow Medal rely, the AFL was made conscious of potential suspicious exercise by one among our betting company companions.”
The winner of this 12 months’s Brownlow Medal was Carlton Blues participant Patrick Cripps, who completed one vote forward of Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale. The ceremony occurred on September 18.
Dillon confirmed that the AFL complied with the investigation and reiterated that there isn’t any proof that the end result of the Brownlow Medal is in query. He defined that Brownlow votes get totally sealed and saved after video games in an off-site safe location and aren’t opened till the ceremony. KPMG audits the sealed playing cards through the course of the season.