By Jake Niall and Sam McClure
Luke Sayers has quit as Carlton president despite the AFL finding that his X account was compromised, and he was not responsible for posting a lewd image.
The conclusion to the league’s investigation and Sayers’ departure follow two weeks of public scrutiny. The image was posted to Sayers’ account on January 8 and also tagged an executive of Bupa, one of the club’s corporate partners.
Luke Sayers has quit as president of Carlton Football Club.Credit: Elke Meitzel
Bupa has pulled its naming rights sponsorship of an upcoming fun run supporting the “Carlton Respects” program, which promotes gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
A club spokesperson told this masthead that Bupa remained a major sponsor and had pulled out of the event only once the AFL integrity unit began its investigation.
Sayers was on holiday in Italy when the image appeared on his account. It was taken down 13 minutes later. He quickly apologised, saying he had been hacked and asking people to “ignore all posts” before deactivating his account.
The AFL and Sayers released separate statements on Wednesday afternoon, with Sayers describing the post as “unauthorised” and the league saying Sayers’ account had been compromised. The AFL explained that an account can be compromised if an unauthorised user has login details that give them access.
The statement from Sayers – released just minutes after the AFL announced he was not in breach of the league’s rules – said he deeply regretted that “many other people including my family, friends and colleagues, and my football club, have been caught up in this matter”.
Sayers maintained that he did not post the image – deliberately or accidentally – and reiterated that the investigation conducted by the AFL’s integrity unit found his X account had been compromised.
He said the AFL’s finding that he had not breached its rules was the end of the matter.
“I am aware of speculation that the naming of another person in the post explains why it happened. It does not, and that narrative is wrong. I am so sorry for the hurt that has caused,” he said.
“I deeply regret that many other people including my family, friends and colleagues, and my football club, have been caught up in this matter.
“That is why I have decided to step down as Carlton president and take some time away from work.
“Leading the Carlton Football Club has been one of the great honours and privileges of my life. I leave knowing the club is in great shape, and with my deepest gratitude for its understanding and support.
“I will now deal with this away from the glare of the public and media spotlight. This decision draws a line in the sand.”
Two sources speaking to this masthead on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive and personal nature of the situation, said that Sayers remained in Italy with his wife and children and would stay there for the foreseeable future.
Sayers is executive chairperson and founder of Sayers Group but will take leave from the business as well.
“We fully respect Luke Sayers’ decision,” CEO Sammy Kumar said in a statement.
“Since the founding partners launched the business in early 2021 we have grown to around 16 partners and 50 staff.
“The management structure of Sayers ensures that we continue to focus on our clients. Our eight-person management team is a well-established group of leaders from across the business.
“The Sayers Advisory business is built around the collective skills, experience and expertise of all our partners and people, not individuals. As such, our focus remains on our clients and the work we continue to do with them.”
The league said it took matters of respect and responsibility seriously and acknowledged the “effect and distress caused to numerous individuals beyond those bound by the AFL rules and regulations”.
“The AFL has been in ongoing contact with Mr Sayers and his representatives, the Carlton Football Club and the club’s corporate partner including the executive tagged in the post, who have all assisted the AFL in its inquiries,” the league said.
“The integrity unit’s inquiries, which included multiple interviews and review of other evidence, have now concluded and the AFL has found, based on the available evidence, that access to Mr Sayers’ X account was compromised, resulting in the posting of the image (i.e. by a person not being Mr Sayers) and tagging of another person.
“Accordingly, the AFL has determined that Mr Sayers did not breach AFL rules in connection with the posting of the image.
“Once he was made aware of the post, Mr Sayers immediately acted to have the image removed and to shut down his X account.
“The AFL wishes to thank the executive who was unwittingly tagged in the post, her cooperation and assistance throughout the inquiries have been extremely helpful.”
Sayers has been on Carlton’s board as a director for 12 years, including three as president. Blues members voted in February last year to extend Sayers’ term until the end of this season.
“As president of the Carlton Football Club and in Sayers’ time as a director prior, he has made an invaluable contribution, serving the club with passion and dedication, which has left the club in a significantly stronger position on and off the field,” the Blues said.
Vice-presidents Robert Priestley and Patty Kinnersly will jointly assume the role and responsibilities of president while the board conducts the process of appointing a president in a permanent capacity.
Sayers is also a former chief executive of PwC Australia, where he worked for 29 years – including eight in the top job – before leaving in 2020.
Since October 2023, PwC has been embroiled in a scandal involving senior partners allegedly having used confidential government tax plans to attract new clients. It has since spun out its government advisory business and sacked hundreds of staff and dozens of partners.
In 2023, Sayers appeared before a Senate inquiry and said he knew nothing of the scandal until after he had left PwC.
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