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AFL umpire Nick Foot reveals what he heard as AFL sends Zak Butters to the tribunal

Joanna Guelas, AAP7NEWS Sport
VideoPort Adelaide captain Zach Butters has been reported for abusive language towards umpire Nick Foote during a match against St Kilda, after receiving a 50-metre penalty.

Zak Butters has been sent directly to the AFL tribunal for allegedly abusing an umpire in Port Adelaide’s Gather Round loss to St Kilda.

Tempers flared in the third quarter at Adelaide Oval when St Kilda’s Mitch Owens was given a free kick for a ruck infringement.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Zak Butters off to the AFL tribunal

Port’s Ollie Wines took issue with the decision, as did Butters, who was penalised 50m and reported for abusive language as Owens goaled from close range.

Two-time All-Australian midfielder Butters is alleged to have said to umpire Nick Foot: “How much are they paying you?”

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And there has been an audio twist, as the exchange was not picked up on the umpire’s microphone.

Umpires wear microphones at all times throughout matches, but they are turned up and down by AFL officials at different stages of the game, so it’s possible Foot’s was muted after he initially told Butters of the report.

The isolated audio file from the umpire’s microphone during the incident, obtained by 7NEWS, has unearthed nothing more than what was heard from Butters, Wines and Foot. during the broadcast.

Port will front the tribunal on Tuesday, with vice-captain Butters maintaining his innocence against a charge of abusive and insulting language towards an umpire.

Speaking to Channel 7 post-match, Butters said he tried to ask umpire Foot after the game what it was for, but was turned away.

“I’d love to know the language that I said, because I went up to him after the game to have a chat and he said he didn’t want to speak to me,” Butters said.

“All I said was, ‘how is that a free kick’ and he paid 50 and said I’m on report.

“I had a few teammates there 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 umpires.

“I just wanted to follow up and ask what he thought I said from his end.”

He went on to say he definitely didn’t use any expletives and will defend himself against any potential charges.

“I think I’m a pretty honest bloke out there and have a good relationship with most umpires so I’m sure the club will deal with that,” he added.

“I’d fight to the hills because I know what I said and I didn’t say anything bad.”

Should Port fail at the tribunal, Butters is likely to face yet another fine after recently reaching the $50,000 mark in financial sanctions since making his debut in 2019.

St Kilda forward Liam Ryan was docked $1500 last year for verbally abusing an umpire while playing for West Coast.

Camera IconZak Butters said he would ‘fight to the hills’ to clear his name. Credit: Channel 7

In 2019, former Collingwood and Carlton player Dale Thomas was sanctioned $7500 for calling an umpire a cheat, and Sydney veteran Dane Rampe was slapped with a $5000 fine for telling an umpire he talked “like a little girl”.

St Kilda ruck Tom De Koning was also handed a $1500 fine - or $1000 for an early guilty plea - for staging in the fourth quarter against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

Geelong midfielder Mark O’Connor was slapped with a one-match ban for a high bump on Eagles youngster Willem Duursma in the second quarter of the Cats’ win at Norwood Oval.

The incident was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

O’Connor will miss Geelong’s home clash against the fourth-placed Western Bulldogs should the club accept the charge.

Port Adelaide statement on Butters

The AFL Match Review Officer has advised Zak Butters has been referred to the AFL tribunal for an incident during Sunday’s game against St Kilda.

Butters has been charged with using abusive and insulting language towards an umpire.

The exchange was not picked up on the umpire’s microphone.

The Port Adelaide Football Club will defend in the strongest possible way the allegations made by AFL umpire Nick Foot against Butters.

Port Adelaide believes the words used by Butters were misheard and misconstrued from what was actually said.

Acting club captain Butters is unambiguously adamant on what was said and the club strongly supports him and his position.

Former club captain and Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines was standing next to Butters and Foot at the time of the exchange and will provide a witness statement in support of Butters.

Port Adelaide is also disappointed that umpire Foot dismissively refused Butters’ attempt to seek clarification post-game, as captain of the club.

The tribunal will sit on Tuesday, April 14 at a time to be confirmed.

- With 7NEWS.com.au

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