A prominent sports betting company has ended its association with an AFL umpire who was at the heart of a high-profile tribunal case involving Zak Butters.
Sportsbet announced on Monday that Nick Foot, the grand final umpire who reported Butters during Port Adelaide’s match against St Kilda at the Adelaide Oval for using abusive or insulting language towards an umpire, is no longer employed by the company.
Foot had previously worked as a horse racing analyst for the bookmaker. In an interview with 7News, he expressed his pride in being involved in both horse racing and umpiring, stating that he continues to share a passion for both fields.
“I have always been proud of my roles in horse racing and umpiring, and I look forward to continuing to serve the game with professionalism in my role for years to come,” Foot said.
When contacted for a response, the AFL directed all inquiries to Sportsbet. The league had supported Foot as recently as last Monday when Greg Swann, the AFL’s football operations chief, was questioned about the umpire’s outside employment.
The incident that led to the tribunal occurred during a tense match where Foot claimed Butters asked, “How much are they (St Kilda) paying you?” after a free kick was awarded to the Saints in a close game. Butters denied making the comment, and teammate Ollie Wines, who was called as a witness, also denied it. Despite this, the tribunal found Butters guilty and imposed a $1500 fine.
However, the Port Adelaide team appealed the decision, and the case was eventually overturned due to a legal technicality. The appeals board ruled that there had been a “miscarriage of justice” because one of the tribunal members, Jason Johnson, had attended an open house inspection during the hearing. The board considered this an “error of law.”
Foot has officiated in 272 AFL games, including the 2024 grand final. His career has been marked by dedication and professionalism, and he remains a respected figure in the sport.
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