An AFL umpire was one of four men arrested as part of an investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to this year’s Brownlow Medal.

It comes following police raids on properties across Melbourne, where they seized mobile phones and electronic items.

The investigation surrounded “betting irregularities” on a particular round of votes cast on the Brownlow Medal, Wide World of Sports host Peter Psaltis explained to 4BC Breakfast.

“It appears as though the bets have been put on a particular game by an umpire who voted in that game, because the Brownlow is voted on by the umpires,” he said.

It’s alleged the umpire, Michael Pell, then distributed the information to a group of people, who also put bets on the round.

“And that’s where the alarm bells started to ring,” Psalty continued. “This is a big, big no-no.”

Press PLAY below to hear Psalty’s explainer in full 

• A 32-year-old Glenroy man was interviewed in relation to the offence of engaging in conduct that corrupts, or would corrupt, a betting outcome. He has been released pending enquiries, and is expected to be charged on summons.
• A second 32-year-old man from Glenroy was interviewed in relation to the offence of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. He has been released and is expected to be charged on summons.
• A 27-year-old man from Drouin was interviewed in relation to the offence of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. He has been released and is expected to be charged on summons.
• A 29-year-old man from Oak Park was interviewed in relation to the offence of use corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. He has been released pending further enquiries.
  Police are investigating exactly how much money was awarded from the bets.

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.

Police are investigating how many matches may have had votes released and exactly how much money was awarded from the bets.

The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia.

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