Port Adelaide have been given an extension to decide whether to appeal Zak Butters‘ $1500 fine for abusing umpire Nick Foot after the tribunal found the Power player guilty on Tuesday night. And umpiring legend Ray Chamberlain has revealed why Foot refused to speak to Butters immediately after the game.
The AFL tribunal will release the reasoning behind their verdict on Wednesday, after which Port will decide whether or not they’ll appeal. The reasons for the verdict weren’t handed down on Wednesday morning as expected, with caused the AFL to grant Port an extension until 12pm on Thursday to decide their next move.
Ray Chamberlain has revealed umpire Nick Foot wasn’t allowed to speak to Zak Butters after the game. Image: Getty/Channel 7
Foot alleged Butters said: “How much are they paying you?” after he awarded a free kick to St Kilda in Port’s loss to the Saints on Sunday night. Butters vehemently denied that, insisting he said “surely that’s not a free kick”.
Ultimately the tribunal sided with Foot, but didn’t reveal their reasoning on Tuesday night because multiple tribunal members had prior engagements and couldn’t stay past 5.45pm. Port are said to be filthy with that development.
Leading reporter Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy on Tuesday night that an appeal would cost Port $10,000, and declared it would be an easy decision because they get it refunded if successful. While James Hird said on Channel 9: “If I was Zak Butters, I’d be taking this all the way. If you definitely know you didn’t say it, you can’t have that on your character. It’s a slur on your character. If he didn’t say it, it should be fought all the way to the end.”
Why umpire didn’t speak to Zak Butters after game
Questions have been asked as to why Foot refused to speak to Butters after the game, and why the two parties couldn’t work things out before going to the tribunal. But according to Chamberlain, the AFL advises umpires not to speak to players after reporting them.
“It could’ve been perceived as being dismissive, or disrespectful, or weak, but it’s quite the opposite,” Chamberlain said on Fox. “He’s not permitted to do that. I know that had been communicated before the end of the game. There were attempts at three-quarter time.”
‘Razor’ Ray also spoke to why Foot would have felt so strongly about taking the matter further. “It cuts to the very premise of what it is you’re undertaking,” he said. “The role of the umpire is to ensure that the game is played in a fair and safe manner, and that’s your responsibility without fear or favour.
“So, when that gets called into question, you’re cutting at the very essence of who that person is in terms of their role. “Expletives wash over an umpire…but when you’re calling into question the very fundamental essence of what they’re doing and who they are, that does cut to the bone.”
Umpire Nick Foot reported Zak Butters during the game. Image: Channel 7
Zak Butters and Port Adelaide remain steadfast
Speaking after the tribunal hearing, Butters remained steadfast that he didn’t use the words that Foot claims he did. The AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) slammed the tribunal’s decision on Wednesday, while Port chief executive Matthew Richardson said: “The club is deeply disappointed in the Tribunal’s verdict and rejects any suggestion that questions Zak’s integrity. Zak is a man of outstanding character and we are acutely aware of the toll these proceedings take, not only for him but for his family and those closest to him.”
Port chairman David Koch added on 5AA radio: “Zak is a competitor but he’s one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet. He’s incredibly angry with the outcome. He quite rightly believes he’s been dubbed a liar in all this. The bloke has enormous pride and integrity of his values.”
AFLPA chief executive James Gallagher said the organisation was “deeply disappointed” by the tribunal outcome. “The tribunal determining not to accept all of the evidence consistent with Zak’s version of events, including testimony of Zak’s teammate Ollie Wines, nor have sufficient doubt when upholding a charge is deeply concerning,” Gallagher said.