AFL general manager football operations Adrian Anderson said the AFL entered into information sharing agreements more than 12 months ago with all major bookmakers in Australia.
As a result of these agreements, a number of matters had come to light after an examination of betting records. These were then subject to detailed investigation by AFL integrity manager Brett Clothier. One other matter was brought to the AFL's attention by a club.
Anderson said the AFL's rules around gambling on the AFL were central to the integrity of the competition.
"All AFL players, coaches, umpires and officials should be in no doubt that betting on the AFL is prohibited,” Anderson said.
“As I first stated in March 2007, all players, coaches, umpires and officials are on notice that suspensions are applicable for a breach of the AFL gambling regulations,” Anderson said.
Anderson said the following actions had been taken:
Matthew Primus - Port Adelaide assistant coach
- Port Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Primus had been suspended for two weeks. During rounds seven and eight, Primus would not be entitled to attend or have any coaching role at Port Adelaide matches.
- He had placed a $20 multi-bet involving the Geelong Cats v Carlton semi-final in the 2009 NAB Cup.
- AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said that a check of betting records in February revealed the bet was placed on the account of another Port Adelaide employee. The account had been used by a “punter’s club” made up of eight Port Adelaide players and coaches, all of whom had the password to the account. Following an extensive investigation, the specific bet was traced to Primus’ lap top computer.
- In determining penalty, Matthew Primus’ excellent standing within the game was taken into account.
- The AFL would like to commend Port Adelaide for their co-operation and contribution to the investigation. “The club showed real professionalism in dealing with this situation and took the matter as seriously as we did, which is very much to their credit,” Anderson said.
Chris Appleton - AFL goal umpire
- AFL-listed goal umpire Chris Appleton had been stood down for the remainder of the 2010 season.
- He had placed four bets, totalling $60, on the 2009 grand final. He did not work on the match.
- Appleton had been watching the 2009 grand final at a hotel with friends, and had offered to place four bets on behalf of one friend, who did not have access to an account at the venue. He fully co-operated with the investigation and accepted that his actions were a serious breach of his duties. The AFL also interviewed other people present on the day, to confirm what had occurred.
Wayne Siekman - AFL interchange steward
- AFL interchange steward Wayne Siekeman had been stood down for the remainder of the 2010 season.
- He had placed a total of 13 bets during the 2009 season, covering 24 AFL matches. The maximum bet stake was $17.50.
- One of the bets was an $8 multi-bet involving a match in which he had officiated, the round five 2009 game between Richmond and North Melbourne. Siekman said that the bets were the result of misunderstanding the rules and carelessness on his part, but he took full responsibility for his actions.
John Wise - AFL interchange steward
- AFL interchange steward, John Wise had been stood down for the remainder of the 2010 season.
- He had placed four bets during the 2009 season, covering 16 AFL matches, totalling $9.
- In this case, two of the four bets involved matches in which he had officiated. These were multi-bets in amounts of $1 and $2. He said he had placed the bets on behalf of his wife, but took full responsibility for the bets being placed. His wife confirmed that these bets were placed on her behalf.
Matthew Hollington - AFL timekeeper
- AFL timekeeper Matthew Hollington had been stood down for five weeks.
- He had placed one $5 bet during the 2009 season at a time when he was a trainee timekeeper and not officiating.
Western Bulldogs Director Geoff Walsh
- The Western Bulldogs football club had been sanctioned $7,500.
- Western Bulldogs club director Geoff Walsh had placed five bets between December 2009 and February 2010 totalling $50.
- The AFL had determined that Walsh, who was appointed to the club's board in December 2009, was not furnished with appropriate information on the league's rules and regulations in this area by the club.
- Importantly, when he became aware that he had breached the betting regulations Mr Walsh immediately came forward to the AFL.
- The AFL had determined that a sanction against the club was appropriate in this case.
Anderson said that Appleton, Siekman, Wise and Hollington were all valued AFL Officials who would be welcomed back following their suspensions.
“We do not believe any of them deliberately set out to break the rules. If we did, termination of their employment would result. However, all of them accept that they have made a grave mistake and as AFL officials must be held to a very high standard in this area,” he said.
