Zak Butters’ fight to clear his name of umpire abuse has been left even murkier with reports on Monday suggesting umpire microphone audio of Sunday night’s incident is not available.
The Power captain immediately after the game declared he will “fight to the hills” any charge brought against him for abusive language, having been reported in his side’s 14-point loss to St Kilda on Sunday night.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
After Saints forward Mitchito Owens was awarded a contentious free kick, Butters appeared to ask umpire Nick Foot why the free kick had been awarded.
Foot didn’t hesitate in paying a 50m penalty against Butters for his words, stunning both he and nearby teammate Ollie Wines as Owens strolled into an open goal to push the margin out to 31 points.
As Butters and Wines jogged back to the middle for the next centre bounce, Foot ran past Butters and informed him he was on report.
Broadcast cameras captured Butters’ shocked reaction.
Code Sports first reported Butters actually said: “Why are you paying that?”
The case took another twist on Monday when football journalist Tom Morris reported there was no umpire microphone audio available.
Footy commentators Kane Cornes and David King on Monday said Foot should apologise to Butters if he mistakenly interpreted Butters’ comments as a form of abuse.
“Zach Butters is really annoyed this morning and he was last night,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“He feels like his reputation and his standing in the game has been put through the mud by the suggestion from umpire Nick Foot that he has abused him in any way shape or form.”
However, Morris also reported the comment said by Butters allegedly questioned the umpire’s “integrity”.
Cornes said Foot would “have to lose his position” temporarily if Butters is cleared of any wrongdoing.
“It’s big for Zak. It’s big. It’s cost him a fifty and a goal,” Cornes said on SEN.
“And he’s been placed on report and there’s a certain level of shame that comes with that. That you let your team down at a crucial time. So what’s the ramifications for the umpire?”
The Port Adelaide premiership winner also called for the AFL to release the “tape” from the umpire’s microphone.
Butters was immediately on the front foot defending his behaviour.
Speaking to Seven’s Xander McGuire immediately after the siren, the out-of-contract midfielder was unwavering in his defence of the incident.
“I’d love to know the language that I said, because I went up to him after the game and obviously just to have a chat — like any two humans do,” Butters said.
“He said he didn’t want to speak to me. All I said was: ‘How was that a free kick?’ He gave it 50, and said I’m on report.
“I had a few teammates right next to me, Ollie Wines. I’m curious to follow that one up, because I’m never going to say anything bad to the umpire. I just want to follow up and ask what he thought I said from his end.”
When queried by McGuire on whether any expletives were used, Butters responded: “Genuinely no swear words (or) any bad language. That’s why I was curious and obviously a bit frustrated, because it led to a goal.
“I feel like I’m a pretty honest bloke out there and have a good relationship with most umpires. I’m sure the club will deal with that.
“I’d fight it (any charge) to the hills, because I know what I said, and I know I didn’t say anything bad.”
The free kick came at a costly time for the hosts, who went on to kick four of the next five goals to get back within nine points before ultimately falling short.
Port Adelaide have a six-day break before their Round 6 clash with Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
Originally published as Microphone twist as AFL umpire abuse scandal takes twist