Former AFL umpire Michael Pell and three others were allegedly involved in a $300,000 illegal Brownlow Medal betting scheme, a Melbourne court has been told.
Mr Pell, along with his brother Donovan Andrew Pell, Mitch James Lucas and Michael William Forde, are facing a combined 102 charges relating to suspicious gambling on the 2021 and 2022 Brownlow counts.
The group faced court for the first time for a filing hearing after charges were laid by Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit in August.
The Brownlow Medal recognises the AFL’s best and fairest player each season, and is decided by umpires who pick the top three players from each league fixture.
Michael Pell (left) faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Melbourne on Thursday. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
Mr Pell was arrested nearly three years ago, after allegations emerged of voting results being leaked after matches, but was released without charge.
He made his AFL umpiring debut in 2021, before being promoted to the main umpires list the following season.
Confusion in court over charges
On Thursday, there appeared to be confusion in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court when, in front of a packed courtroom, Magistrate Brett Sonnet asked a prosecutor what the case related to.
“It’s quite difficult for me. I haven’t received a summary of the charges … I believe it’s fraud offending,” the prosecutor replied.
The prosecutor said the case involved serious offending following “a lengthy investigation”.
She said prosecutors would be “following up with further and better particulars” to provide the court.
Mr Forde’s barrister Heather Anderson said the charges for the group related to a total of about $300,000.
The charges relate to suspicious betting activity during the 2021 and 2022 Brownlow Medal awards. (AAP: Julian Smith)
Mr Forde, 35, is facing 53 fraud-related charges including using corrupt conduct for betting and obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Mr Lucas’s lawyer Caroline Salter said witnesses in the case included her client’s sister, his wife and a co-worker.
The four men were placed on bail, ahead of a next hearing on October 22. The case could potentially be transferred to the County Court.
The men made no comment as they left the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Last year, before he had been charged, Michael Pell told Nine News it was “frustrating and consuming” to have the case hanging over his head.
“There’s no other option but to get on with things and surround yourself with good people, which I’m lucky to have,” he said.