Former player agent Ricky Nixon charged over alleged fake AFL memorabilia

Ex-AFL player agent Ricky Nixon has been charged over an alleged fraud scandal after selling footballs he claimed were signed by Demons players after their premiership win.

Former player agent Ricky Nixon has been charged over the 2021 AFL memorabilia scandal.

The Herald Sun can reveal Nixon, 58, was this week charged with 10 counts of obtaining property by deception over the sale of footballs he claimed were signed by Melbourne Demons players following their historic premiership win.

The footballs were sold by Nixon for $575 plus $20 postage, with buyers told the fee would be donated to a children’s charity.

Die-hard Demons fan Brent Aitken, who bought one of the allegedly fake footballs, said he was “ecstatic” to learn charges have finally been laid.

“I was beside myself when I heard. I was ecstatic to know police have taken it seriously,” he said.

Ex AFL player agent Ricky Nixon. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Nixon will face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 15 next year.

The footballs sold by Nixon quickly roused suspicion after buyers noticed Charlie Spargo’s signature was written next to a No.8 when he wears a No.9.

The concerns were reported to the club, resulting in investigations by the AFL and Victoria Police.

At the time, Nixon claimed he was actually a victim in the alleged fraud scandal.

He claimed he purchased the signed footballs from a person purporting to work for an AFL licensee and that several were swapped out for illegitimate balls forged by a suspected drug addict.

The claim was made on the You Can’t be Serious” podcast hosted by Sam Newman, who slapped Nixon across the face last month over a financial dispute.

The footballs sold by Nixon underwent extensive forensic testing and remain with police.

Several members of Melbourne Football Club were interviewed as part of the police probe.

“Police have charged a man following an ongoing investigation into the alleged sale of commemorative merchandise signed by football players,” a Victoria Police statement read.

“The 58-year-old Port Melbourne man has been charged with 10 counts of obtain property by deception.”