AFL umpire among four people arrested over suspicious betting on 2022 Brownlow Medal

Four people, including an AFL umpire, have been arrested over suspicious betting activity around voting for the AFL's 2022 Brownlow Medal.

Victoria Police advised that detectives from its Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit made the arrests on Monday morning as part of an investigation relating to, as advised in statement, "the release of the Brownlow Medal voting tallies from matches" this season.

The Victoria Police statement added “it's alleged that a person with knowledge of the voting tally of these matches distributed the information to a group of people known to them.

"Police are investigating how many matches may have had votes released, and exactly how much money was awarded from the bets.

"At this stage, police have no information to suggest that the outcome of the votes were impacted as the allegations relate solely to the distribution of information.

"The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia."

An AFL statement said Victoria Police had confirmed to the league one of the men involved was an umpire.

AFL's General Manager of Football Operations Andrew Dillon emphasised that there was no "information to suggest that the outcome of the Brownlow Medal was impacted" as the allegations relate to the leaking of results after matches.

Dillon advised “in the days following the 2022 Brownlow Medal count, the AFL was made aware of potential suspicious activity by one of our betting agency partners and the AFL Integrity unit immediately gathered further information.

"Given the nature of the alleged activity we engaged Sports Integrity Australia and Victoria Police to assist with the matter.

"I want to stress that neither Victoria Police, nor the AFL have information to suggest that the outcome of the Brownlow Medal was impacted as the allegations relate solely to the leaking or improper communication of the 3,2,1 voting outcomes of some specific matches during the season.

"Post-game, the Brownlow votes are sealed and stored in a secure off-site location and not opened until they are delivered on stage on Brownlow night. The sealed vote cards are audited throughout the season by KPMG."

The four men arrested have been released “pending further enquiries", with at least one expected to be charged.