AFL Brownlow betting scandal: Police execute raids on associates of former umpire Michael Pell

People associated with the former AFL field umpire accused of leaking 2022 Brownlow votes have had their homes raided in the lead-up to the 2023 count.

Umpire Michael Pell during the 2022 season. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Police executed raids on associates of the umpire at the centre of the Brownlow Medal betting scandal in the lead up to this year’s vote count.

It’s understood police attended the homes of several associates of Michael Pell, the former AFL field umpire who was arrested over allegations he leaked Brownlow Medal votes.

No charges have been laid since he was arrested almost 11 months ago.

The latest raids were conducted in the early hours with police armed with search warrants.

It’s understood no one was arrested and some of the people who were targeted by the raids had already been interviewed by police.

AFL Umpire Michael Pell Picture: AFL Photos

One senior detective working on the case has been issuing text messages to people close to Pell inviting them to discuss a sports integrity matter.

Pell’s lawyer, Jordana Fayman, told the Herald Sun last month: “the protracted nature of the police investigation has taken its toll on Mr Pell and his family.”

“Given all that has transpired over the last 10 months, he looks forward to the investigation finally being complete,” Fayman said.

Pell resigned from the AFL on mental health grounds following his arrest. The league made no formal findings against him.

Victoria Police said late last month its investigation remained “active” and said it was “critically important that a thorough and methodical investigation” took place given the “serious” allegations.

Umpire Michael Pell during the 2022 season. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

The AFL engaged Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police last year after one of the league’s betting partners flagged suspicious gambling activity on the Brownlow Medal.

The suspicious bets were placed on round-by-round bets.

Victoria’s gambling watchdog approved those markets again this year but implemented a payout limit of $250.

Incoming AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said last year the integrity of the Brownlow Medal had not been compromised by the betting scandal.

“I want to stress that neither Victoria Police, nor the AFL have information to suggest that the outcome of the Brownlow Medal was impacted as the allegations relate solely to the leaking or improper communication of the 3,2,1 voting outcomes of some specific matches during the season,” Dillon said.