- Follows umpire parting ways with company
Polarising footy commentator Kane Cornes has been forced to step down from his role on the All-Australian selection panel due to his ongoing links with gambling giant Sportsbet.
The Port Adelaide premiership-winner has been on the selection panel for the AFL’s prestigious team as well as the Rising Star award since 2022 – but a recent policy change means Sportsbet is banned from employing officials from footy codes.
Cornes also features on the weekly podcast show ‘In The Back Pocket’ – produced by the gambling agency, which is also the major betting partner of the league.
‘On Monday, May 4, Sportsbet announced its decision to no longer feature any serving sports administrators or officials in our programming,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We are currently undertaking a review of all Sportsbet talent agreements and through that process we had a discussion with Kane Cornes who holds positions as an All- Australian selector and Rising Star judge.
‘In appreciating and understanding the importance of the stance we have taken, Kane has made the difficult decision to step down from his positions with the AFL in those roles.’
Polarising footy commentator Kane Cornes has been forced to step down from his role on the All-Australian selection panel due to his ongoing links with gambling giant Sportsbet
Sportsbet acknowledged it was a ‘significant decision’ for Cornes to make, and they are ‘grateful for his support’
AFL umpire Nick Foot was informed late last week that his services as a racing analyst are no longer required by Sportsbet
Sportsbet acknowledged it was a ‘significant decision’ for Cornes to make, and they are ‘grateful for his support’.
AFL umpire Nick Foot has also cut ties with Sportsbet following the Zak Butters tribunal saga.
Foot was informed late last week that his services are no longer required by the agency.
The AFL has continually backed Foot in recent weeks and remained comfortable with his partnership as a horse racing analyst with the bookmaker.
Foot reported Butters during Port Adelaide’s Gather Round loss to St Kilda at the Adelaide Oval for abusive or insulting language towards an umpire.
He told the tribunal Butters asked him: ‘How much are they (St Kilda) paying you?’ after a free kick was awarded to Ross Lyon’s men.
Butters denied the comment but was found guilty by the tribunal, only to see the matter thrown out by the appeals board due to a legal technicality.
The appeals board ruled Butters was denied natural justice as tribunal member Jason Johnson was driving at stages of the hearing.
Foot has umpired more than 250 AFL games, including the 2024 grand final won by Brisbane against the Sydney Swans.
