Luke Sayers has officially stepped down as president of the Carlton Football Club, following the conclusion of an investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit concerning his social media account.
The scandal erupted on January 8, 2024, when a graphic photo was posted on Sayers' X (formerly Twitter) account, which tagged the name of a senior female executive at Bupa, one of the club's major sponsors. The image was quickly taken down, and Sayers' account was disabled shortly thereafter. Despite the swift measures, the incident ignited widespread speculation and scrutiny.
After more than two weeks of speculation and mounting pressure, Sayers announced his resignation on January 24, 2024, citing the need to prioritize his family and deal with the matter privately. He emphasized his gratitude for the club and expressed regret over the unfounded distress caused to those around him.
According to the AFL's inquiry, it was determined Sayers did not breach any AFL rules. The Integrity Unit concluded access to Sayers' social media account was compromised, leading to the unauthorized posting of the lewd image. Sayers maintained throughout the ordeal, "I did not post the image, either deliberately or accidentally," asserting he fully cooperated with the investigation.
Reflecting on his time with Carlton, Sayers stated, "Leading the Carlton Football Club has been one of the great honours and privileges of my life. I leave knowing the Club is in great shape, and with my deepest gratitude for its support. I deeply regret... the hurt this has caused to many people, including my family, friends, and colleagues." His remarks acknowledged the impact of the scandal beyond himself.
Carlton Football Club has emphasized its commitment to supporting those affected by the incident. While the team had engaged with the AFL Integrity Unit, they also instituted their independent inquiry, led by barrister Christopher Townshend KC, to gather information and address the scandal's repercussions internally.
Co-vice presidents Robert Priestley and Patty Kinnersly issued statements expressing their gratitude for Sayers' contributions over his 12 years on the board, three of which were spent as president. They stated, "On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we would like to sincerely thank Luke for his significant service to the Club and for playing an integral role in setting the Club up for success."
Despite the findings exonerated Sayers from wrongdoing, the decision was made to move forward without him at the helm, as both Priestley and Kinnersly prepare to jointly assume the presidential responsibilities on an interim basis. This transition will remain until the Board identifies Sayers' permanent successor.
The AFL showed appreciation for the co-operation offered by the executive unwittingly tagged in the trending post, ensuring all parties involved were treated with respect throughout their investigation. They confirmed their findings of no misconduct by Sayers, seeking to draw the matter to a close.
Looking to the future, the Carlton Football Club remains focused on preparing for the 2025 AFL and AFLW seasons, underscoring their commitment to maintaining the integrity and success of the organization even as they navigate the aftermath of this issue.
While the scandal raised serious discussions about accountability and leadership, Sayers leaves behind a legacy of service within the club. His contributions as both director and president will be remembered, as Carlton charts its course forward after this turbulent chapter.