Zak Butters appeal successful, AFL won’t seek re-hearing

Zak Butters will not be ordered to pay $1,500 for alleged «abusive and insulting language» towards umpire Nick Foot, after the AFL Appeals Board quashed the decision of a Tribunal on Monday night. 

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A Tribunal had initially found Butters guilty of the charge last Tuesday, but a compromised Tribunal process has seen that decision thrown out.

Tribunal member Jason Johnson had briefly disconnected from last week’s hearing to switch devices while driving to another commitment, which Port Adelaide’s legal team successfully argued compromised the hearing.

The AFL has since apologised for the error in law, and confirmed that they won’t be seeking a re-hearing.

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«The AFL acknowledges the decision of the AFL Appeals Board this evening to allow the appeal brought by Zak Butters of the Port Adelaide Football Club against the decision of the AFL Tribunal last week,» they said in a statement.

«The AFL also acknowledges the Appeal Board’s finding that the conduct of AFL Tribunal Panel member Jason Johnson in the latter stages of the Tribunal hearing, constituted an error of law such that the Tribunal’s decision should be set aside.

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«As was stated in the Appeal Board hearing, the AFL does not seek a re-hearing and as such this is the end of this matter.

«The AFL apologises for the inconvenience caused to the parties for the error of law that has led to this outcome, in particular Zak Butters, Ollie Wines and Ben Rutten of the Port Adelaide Football Club and AFL umpire Nick Foot.  

«The AFL will now reflect on the reasons of the Appeal Board and learnings from tonight’s outcome.»

Umpire Foot alleged that Butters asked him «how much are they paying you?» following a decision in the third quarter of the Power’s round five loss to St Kilda.

Butters initially tried to discuss the incident with Foot after the game, but was snubbed by the umpire, an action that has further enraged Butters and the Power. 

The Tribunal ultimately ruled against the Power last week, despite Butters, his teammate Ollie Wines, and Port Adelaide general manager Ben Rotten all giving evidence in support of the Port superstar.

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