Ricky Nixon investigated by the AFL for allegedly selling forged premiership memorabilia
Ex-player agent Ricky Nixon is under investigation amid allegations Melbourne premiership memorabilia he claimed to be selling for charity was forged.
Victoria
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Police have now joined the AFL in investigating former player agent Ricky Nixon over accusations he duped Demons fans with fake premiership memorabilia he claimed was for a children’s charity.
Nixon used Facebook to sell about 20 footballs he said were signed by Melbourne players after their historic win last month.
The Herald Sun understands only 10 footballs were signed by the team, and fans caught up in the alleged scam have been contacted by the club.
The footballs, sold by Nixon for $575 plus $20 postage, quickly aroused suspicion after buyers noticed Charlie Spargo’s signature was written next to a No.8 when he wears a No.9. One fan raised his concerns with star player Christian Petracca who confirmed he did not sign the footballs.
“I messaged Christian Petracca asking if he had signed it. He said it wasn’t his signature and he would contact the AFL,” the fan said. When the fan demanded a refund, Nixon had said: “Bring the ball back. I don’t deal with morons.”
Die-hard fan Brent Aitken, 49, believes he was also duped by Mr Nixon, who has refused his requests for a refund. “He’s full of shit, to be honest,” Mr Aitken said.
He said he reported the matter to police who instructed him not to open the package containing the football.
“They asked me to leave it in the box so they could do some forensic testing on it,” he said.
Mr Aitken said the whole thing felt “dicey” as it was impossible for a player to forget their number.
“When I started questioning about the ball, (Nixon) got quite cut up about it,” Mr Aitken said.
“He said to me ‘You’re just another misled c--t’. It showed he had so much to hide,” he said.
“I’d been waiting for this moment (the premiership) my whole life so getting that ball was a big thing and it turned out to be a dud.”
When contacted by the Herald Sun, Nixon said he was not under investigation.
However, the AFL confirmed it was investigating. “The AFL has been made aware of concerns about footballs with allegedly counterfeit signatures being sold and is currently investigating the matter and has requested Mr Nixon immediately cease further sales,” a spokesman said.
A Melbourne spokesman said the club had been made aware of the alleged sales of “illegitimate 2021 premiership memorabilia” and had reported the matter to the AFL. He said fans should go to officialmemorabilia.com.au for merchandise.
Victoria Police revealed it began its investigation into Mr Nixon’s alleged deceptions earlier this month.
“Victoria Police is investigating the sale of football merchandise purported to be signed by football players,” a spokesman said.
“The deception was reported to police earlier this month and the investigation remains ongoing.”
The spokesman urged anyone with information about the matter to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Originally published as Ricky Nixon investigated by the AFL for allegedly selling forged premiership memorabilia
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