Four men have been arrested in relation to an investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to this year’s Brownlow Medal.
It’s alleged a person with knowledge of the voting tally of certain matches provided the information to a group of people known to them.
The investigation is being conducted by the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit in conjunction with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia.
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Detectives executed warrants at several residential properties in Victoria, seizing mobile phones and electronic items while arresting the four men.
All four men are in custody and are assisting police with the ongoing investigations.
Police are investigating whether the individuals were engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of event or event contingency, and used corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.
Those offences carry a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Intelligence and Covert Support Command, Commander Deb Robertson, released a statement on Monday.
“We have a dedicated team of detectives at the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit who are committed to investigating any and all allegations of corruption in sport,” Robertson said.
“Victorians are well known for their love of AFL and in particular, the prestigious Brownlow Medal award, but equally they want to know that there is integrity, fairness and honesty behind this award.
“We have been working with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia in relation to these matters, and we will continue to work together to target, disrupt and apprehend people who commit these offences.
“The public assistance is a really key part – we know there are people out there involved in sport who see or hear things they know are not right and we need them to speak up. This can also be done confidentially via Crime Stoppers.”
At this stage, they have no information to suggest the outcome of the votes were impacted as the allegations relate solely to the distribution of information.
