By AAP
A person with inside knowledge of the AFL’s Brownlow Medal tallies is accused of leaking the information to a betting ring.
Victoria Police detectives from its Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit have arrested four men on Monday over suspicious betting activity connected to this season’s medal count.
Police are investigating how many matches may have had votes released and exactly how much money was awarded from the bets.
At this stage, police have no information to suggest that the outcome of the votes were impacted as the allegations relate solely to the distribution of information.
The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia.
Detectives executed warrants on Monday at homes in Glenroy, Kilsyth, Oak Park, Drouin, Craigieburn and Doreen, seizing several mobile phones and electronic items
Two 32-year-olds from Glenroy, a 29-year-old man from Oak Park and a 27-year-old man from Drouin were arrested and are being interviewed by police.
Potential charges include those for conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of an event or event contingency and using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.
The offences carry up to 10 years imprisonment.
“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,” Commander Deb Robertson said in a statement.
