The AFL has launched an investigation into the lewd photograph scandal involving Carlton president Luke Sayers
The AFL has announced that the league’s integrity unit officers are investigating the lewd photograph scandal involving Carlton president Luke Sayers.
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Pressure is mounting on embattled Carlton president Luke Sayers to stand down amid an AFL integrity unit investigation into his “dick pic” scandal.
Breaking more than a week of silence on Friday, the league revealed its investigators had begun probing the circumstances around the incident after a lewd image was publicly posted.
The picture was published alongside the name of a senior female executive at health insurer Bupa, which sponsors the Blues, on Mr Sayers’ X account last week.
Mr Sayers, who remains on holiday in Italy, doubled down on his claim that his social media account was hacked as he issued a statement late on Friday in a desperate bid to hold on to his job.
“Mr Sayers did not post an image to his X account on 8 January 2025,” a statement issued from his office at the Sayers Group said.
“When he was alerted that his social media had been hacked, he immediately disabled all of his accounts and engaged legal counsel.”
The family of the woman named in the social media post remains furious at her name being dragged into the scandal.
The high-ranking marketing executive returned to work this week.
“Mr Sayers acknowledges the distress of everyone impacted by this shocking incident,” his office added.
The Blues leader has ignored questions for more than a week about whether the nude image that was posted was him.
His statement on Friday did not clarify that point or offer any details about whether he had sought help from a cyber security company to investigate the “hack”.
Mr Sayers said he would not elaborate further on those crucial issues.
“Mr Sayers and the Club have been engaging with the AFL Integrity Unit, and he will continue to deal with this issue without further public comment,” his statement said.
The AFL and Carlton were in frantic discussions on Friday afternoon, with the league and the club taking several hours to release statements that had been prepared earlier in the day.
Carlton on Friday evening said the controversy surrounding the club’s most senior figure was of “a sensitive nature.”
Industry insiders say Mr Sayers should consider standing down now to avoid dragging the club through a season of scandal, with their list promising to become finals contenders in 2025.
Blues vice president Robert Priestley, the chairman of J.P. Morgan in Australia, has emerged as the most likely stand-in president should Mr Sayers choose to step away while the AFL investigation is conducted.
The incident threatens to derail any negotiations with Bupa for a sponsorship renewal at the end of the year, which is one of the club’s most lucrative deals.
The league said on Friday it was providing support to all affected parties including the woman at the centre of the incident.
“The Carlton Football Club made the AFL aware of the matter involving the social media post last week,” an AFL spokesperson said.
“With the AFL integrity unit making ongoing inquiries and providing appropriate assistance and support to those required across the last week.
“The inquiries remain ongoing.”
Carlton said it was continuing to co-operate and liaise with the AFL integrity unit.
“In relation to the matter involving President Luke Sayers’ social media account, the Club continues to co-operate and liaise with the AFL Integrity Unit,” the Blues’ said.
“The Club notified the League last week and reached out to those involved, including individuals and corporate partners to provide care and support.
“Given the sensitive nature of this issue, the Club acknowledges the effect and impact this has on individuals and will provide ongoing support to those involved.
“We will continue to co-operate with the AFL Integrity Unit and appreciate the patience required to work through this matter, an update will be provided by the Club when in a position to do so.”
Originally published as The AFL has launched an investigation into the lewd photograph scandal involving Carlton president Luke Sayers
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