Michael Pell, a former AFL umpire who stepped down in 2022, has been accused of engaging in fraudulent betting activities related to the 2021 Brownlow Medal. He appeared today at the Melbourne Magistrates Court facing six charges linked to betting fraud. The accusations involve Pell allegedly sharing insider knowledge about which players were slated to receive Brownlow votes with three individuals, including co-defendant William Forde, before the awards ceremony in September 2021.
Court documents indicate that Pell knowingly provided this information, which he understood could influence the betting results of the event. The 34-year-old reportedly placed bets on outcomes relating to the Brownlow votes using the account name “Lincoln Busby.” He is claimed to have bet with various platforms, including Sportsbet and Ladbrokes, while possessing insider information that could alter the integrity of the betting process.
Forde, aged 35, is facing 53 separate charges, including deceitfully obtaining access to another person’s betting account to place illegal wagers, as well as sharing confidential information to facilitate fraudulent betting activities across several Brownlow events in 2021 and 2022. He allegedly utilised multiple wagering platforms, including Betfair, TAB, and bet365, among others.
In addition, Pell’s brother Donovan, 31, faces 23 charges for allegedly using multiple aliases and illegally acquiring personal credentials to place bets related to Brownlow Medal voting. Another associate, Mitch Lucas, 32, has been charged with 20 offences for disclosing information about the 2022 Brownlow and placing bets under different names.
The total amount linked to the fraudulent betting activities stands at around $300,000. Many individuals involved, including co-defendants and witnesses, are reportedly family members or colleagues, adding complexity to the case.
During today’s proceedings, Magistrate Brett Sonnet highlighted the seriousness of the charges, resulting in the decision to grant bail to all accused individuals under the condition they remain at their residences and are prohibited from leaving Australia. They are scheduled to return to court for committal mentions on October 22.
Under the current voting system, AFL umpires allocate Brownlow votes on a 3-2-1 basis after each match, with stringent security surrounding these details until announced on presentation night. The AFL has a strict policy against gambling by umpires and associated personnel.
In 2021, the Brownlow Medal was awarded to Ollie Wines from Port Adelaide, while Carlton’s Patrick Cripps claimed the title in the following year. Following this scandal, the AFL has opted against modifying the voting procedure but Victoria’s gambling regulator has introduced new measures for better oversight of AFL employees, including increased surveillance of umpires and spot audits.