Carlton president Luke Sayers quits amid lewd photo scandal

Carlton president Luke Sayers has fallen on his sword after a social media scandal erupted earlier in the month.

Carlton boss Luke Sayers has stepped down as president of the club despite the AFL concluding their investigation into his lewd photo scandal, finding his “X account was compromised”.

A photo of a man’s genitals was publicly tweeted from Sayers’ X account on Wednesday, January 8, along with the name of a senior female executive of health insurer Bupa, an official member partner of the Blues.

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But two weeks on from the scandal, Sayers, who spent 12 years a club director including three as the president of the AFL powerhouse, informed the board he would step down from his role effective immediately.

The club released a statement with the news on Wednesday afternoon reaffirming the AFL had determined that Mr Sayers had not breached AFL rules.

Despite the AFL and Carlton’s own findings, “in the best interests of the club” Sayers has decided to stand down from the board.

“Leading the Carlton Football Club has been one of the great honours and privileges of my life,” Sayers said via the statement.

“I leave knowing the club is in great shape, and with my deepest gratitude for its understanding and support.

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

Sayers has fallen on his sword over the incident. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Co-vice presidents Robert Priestley and Patty Kinnersly thanked Sayers for his contributions to the club over the past 12 years.

“On behalf of the entire board of directors, we would like to sincerely thank Luke for his significant service to the club and for playing an integral role in setting the club up for success and steering the club in the strong position it now finds itself in,” the pair said.

Priestly and Kinnersly will jointly assume the role of club president in an interim capacity while the board begins the search for a new permanent president.

Pressure had been building on Sayers over his ongoing presidency of the AFL powerhouse.

Sayers, who was in Italy with his family when the scandal broke, had since gone underground and refused to take calls from colleagues in Australia.

Luke Sayers had been holidaying with his daughters Bronte and Claudia in Italy. Picture: Instagram

Sayers broke his silence last week, reaffirming his innocence and declaring he and Carlton had been conversing with the AFL’s Integrity Unit.

“Mr Sayers acknowledges the distress of everyone impacted by this shocking incident,” the statement on Sayers’ behalf read.

“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.”

A social media expert stated it was highly unusual Sayers would still have access to his social media account after the apparent hacking, suggesting it could have been performed by someone who had access to his password.

Originally published as Carlton president Luke Sayers quits amid lewd photo scandal