Luke Sayers steps down as Carlton president after lewd pic scandal

After being embroiled in a scandal regarding a lewd picture on X, Luke Sayers has stepped down as president of Carlton despite being cleared by the AFL.

Luke Sayers has stepped down as Carlton president. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Luke Sayers has quit “effective immediately” as president of Carlton.

Two weeks after a “dick pic” was posted on his social media account, Sayers announced that he had stepped down from the role.

“I deeply regret that many other people including my family, friends and colleagues and football club have been caught up in this matter,” Sayers said.

But in a bizarre twist to the embarrassing saga, the AFL said an investigation had cleared Sayers of breaching league rules.

The AFL said its integrity unit probe had found that Sayer’s X account had been “compromised” and that the Blues boss had not posted the picture himself.

It remains unclear who gained access to Sayers’ social media account and why.

Questions also remain over why a high-ranking female executive at Bupa, one of Carlton’s major sponsors, was tagged in the lewd post, whether the image sent was of Sayers or if he had come good on a pledge to report the “hacking” of his account to Victoria Police.

The family of the woman, who has not yet been publicly identified, say the episode has caused them deep distress.

A Bupa spokeswoman said the company would continue its partnership with Carlton, but had cancelled naming rights for the upcoming Run for Respect event which raises money for violence against women.“Bupa continues to prioritie the wellbeing, privacy and safety of our employee,” the spokeswoman said.

Carlton said Sayers made the decision to stand down “to continue to prioritise time with his family”.

Sayers also revealed that he would be taking some “time away from work”.

“The past two weeks have been very tough for everyone who has been impacted by an unauthorised social media post,” he said.

Luke Sayers (L) is stepping down to spend time with his family. Picture: Michael Klein.

“I did not post the image, either deliberately or accidentally.

“I fully cooperated with an independent inquiry by the AFL which concluded that access to my X account was compromised.

“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 (been) caused.

“I will now deal with this away from the glare of the public and media spotlight. This decision draws a line in the sand.”

A league statement said: “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.

Sayers was cleared by the AFL on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“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.

“The AFL takes all matters of respect and responsibility seriously and when alerted to matters of concern there are professional processes in place to triage and work through such matters. These matters are very sensitive in nature, and we acknowledge the effect and distress caused to numerous individuals beyond those bound by the AFL Rules and Regulations.”

Sayers, who runs a major consultancy firm, the Sayers Group - backed by some of Melbourne’s wealthiest families - has gone to ground on a family vacation in Italy since the scandal erupted on January 8.

The Blues said in a statement: “The Carlton Football Club today confirms that after 12 years serving as a director, including three as president, Luke Sayers has today informed the board that he will step down from his role as president, effective immediately.

“In relation to the matter involving president Luke Sayers’ social media account, the club has continued to cooperate and liaise with the AFL Integrity Unit and since notifying the AFL Integrity Unit of the matter, has continued to connect with those involved, including individuals and corporate partners to provide ongoing care and support.

Sayers had been a director at Carlton for 12 years. Picture: Michael Klein.

“Alongside the conclusion of the AFL Integrity Unit inquiry, and in line with the club’s workplace integrity and cultural safety framework, the club established a process led by Christopher Townshend KC, to ensure the club gathered an informed and impartial understanding of the matter.

“The club respects the AFL Integrity Unit process, and in line with club policies, considered it appropriate to enact its own fair and due process, where independent oversight was important to support confidentiality of all involved and act in a manner that is genuine, fair and acknowledges the sensitivities of the matter to all persons affected.

“The club has now reviewed the AFL Integrity Unit’s findings, which based on the available evidence, declare 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.

“While considering all relevant details relating to the matter and despite no finding of wrongdoing via the AFL Integrity Unit and the club’s independent process, in the best interests of the club Sayers has made the decision to stand down from the board and will continue to prioritise time with his family.

“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.

Sayers said: “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.”

Blues directors Robert Priestley and Patty Kinnersly will share the presidency until a formal replacement is found.

“The club acknowledges the effect this matter has on individuals and the suffering that has been caused for those involved is deeply distressing, and the club will continue to provide ongoing support and care to those impacted,” the Blues said.

“The club now considers the matter closed and requests the privacy of impacted parties to be respected, mindful of the wellbeing consequence this matter has had on those involved.”

Originally published as Luke Sayers steps down as Carlton president after lewd pic scandal