UPDATE
The AFL has confirmed that one of the four people arrested on Monday in relation to suspecious betting activity on this year's Brownlow Medal is an umpire.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the AFL said it would continue to assist Victoria Police with its investigation.
FULL STATEMENT
The AFL confirms it has been informed that the Victoria Police Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit have arrested four people in relation to an investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to round-by-round betting on this year’s Brownlow Medal count.
The suspicious betting activity, on bets placed on round-by-round vote getters, triggered a response and notification by one of the AFL’s betting agency partners.
Upon receiving this information, the AFL Integrity unit worked with the AFL’s betting partners to gather further information and in conjunction with Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police undertook an investigation.
The AFL and Victoria Police have no information to suggest that the awarding of match day votes was impacted in connection with the suspicious betting activity, as the allegations relate solely to the distribution leaking or improper communication of the 3,2,1 voting outcomes post some specific matches during the season to unauthorised persons.
“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,” AFL EGM Football and General Counsel Andrew Dillon said.
“Given the nature of the alleged activity we engaged Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police to assist with the matter.
“I want to stress that neither Victoria Police, nor the AFL have information to suggest that the outcome of the Brownlow Medal was impacted as the allegations relate solely to the leaking or improper communication of the 3,2,1 voting outcomes of some specific matches during the season.
“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.”
Brownlow Medal round-by-round betting markets only open post the home and away season.
Victoria Police has informed the AFL that one of the four persons arrested this morning is an AFL umpire.
The AFL will continue to assist Victoria Police with the on-going investigation.
EARLIER
Four people have been arrested by Victoria Police over a 2022 Brownlow Medal betting scandal, with an investigation ongoing.
The Herald Sun reports that an AFL umpire is now under scrutiny.
The award was won by Carlton’s Patrick Cripps on September 18 with 29 votes in a count that came down to the final game of the season.
Four men have been arrested in relation to suspicious betting activity linked to the 2022 AFL Brownlow Medal count.
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 14, 2022
Two men from Glenroy, one from Oak Park and one from Drouin are currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries.
Details ➡ https://t.co/buALc5owj0 pic.twitter.com/wo1xfEvZvO
The Victoria Police Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit’s investigation into the matter relates to the release of voting tallies for the Brownlow and suspicious betting activity. It’s not yet clear how many matches had votes released or the size of bets placed, with Police saying they are now investigating.
Warrants were on Monday carried out in Glenroy, Kilsyth, Oak Park, Drouin, Craigieburn and Doreen, with several mobile phones and electronic items seized.
In a statement, Victoria Police said: “It’s alleged that a person with knowledge of the voting tally of these matches distributed the information to a group of people known to them.
“At this stage, police have no information to suggest that the outcome of the votes were impacted as the allegations relate solely to the distribution of information.”
The investigation is being conducted alongside the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia.
Commander Deb Robertson from Victoria Police’s Intelligence and Covert Support Command acknowledged the AFL’s role in the investigation.
“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,” she said.
“We have been working with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australian in relation to these matters, and we will continue to work together to target, disrupt and apprehend people who commit these offences.
“The public assistance is a really key part – we know there are people out there involved in sport who see or hear things they know are not right and we need them to speak up.”
Police say all four men are assisting with the investigation. The offences being investigated carry up to 10 years' imprisonment.