Source : ABC NEWS
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch says the AFL club will back Zak Butters “to the hilt” amid a dispute over what was said to an umpire during Sunday night’s loss against St Kilda.
But Koch today said the star midfielder and acting captain’s sanction was the result of a “terrible miscommunication on the field”, and that all Butters had asked was: “Why did you pay that free kick?”
“As captain, it was a pretty straightforward question to ask,” Koch said.
The incident occurred in the third quarter of the final game of Gather Round, in which the Saints beat the Power by 14 points at Adelaide Oval.
Vision shows Butters and Ollie Wines in close proximity to umpire Nick Foot as St Kilda key forward Mitch Owens lined up for a shot on goal, before receiving a 50-metre penalty.
At a lengthy tribunal hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Butters was found guilty and given a $1,500 fine.
The tribunal says it will prepare its reasoning and send it to the parties in question on Wednesday morning.
Zak Butters speaks after the tribunal hearing outside Port Adelaide HQ in Alberton. (ABC News: Briana Fiore)
Butters gave a short statement after the tribunal handed down its decision.
“I’m clearly disappointed with the result tonight. I stand by knowing what I said and what I didn’t say. Especially what I didn’t say. I’d like to thank the club for their support. Thank you,” he said.
After the hearing, his club also issued a statement backing Butters, saying it would wait for the formal tribunal findings tomorrow before considering grounds for an appeal.
“The club is deeply disappointed in the tribunal’s verdict and rejects any suggestion that questions Zak’s integrity,” Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson said.
“Zak is a man of outstanding character and we are acutely aware of the toll these proceedings take, not only for him but for his family and those closest to him.”
Earlier today, Koch said both Butters and Wines looked “surprised” by the decision to report the former.
“Zak was frankly stunned,” he said.
“We will back our man to the hilt,” said Koch, who today received an honorary doctorate from Adelaide’s Flinders University.
“There are witnesses that heard what happened, [but] we’ll leave it up to the AFL.
“It shouldn’t have got this far to start with and if it was a misunderstanding, it should have been dealt with very quickly.”
Asked what was said, Koch replied: “‘Why did you pay that free kick?’, basically — now if that was misinterpreted, that’s not Zak’s problem at all.”
“It’s a shame there’s no audio from the umpire’s microphone, but anyone who knows Zak would know that he’s a guy of great integrity,” Koch said.
‘No idea of the background’
In February 2025, the AFL decided umpire Nick Foot could retain his role with AFL wagering partner Sportsbet.
Sportsbet today confirmed to the ABC that Foot remains employed as a racing analyst.
Koch said Port Adelaide and Butters had “no idea of the background of the umpire”.
“Where they work or where they come from and whether that was a reason for the umpire’s sensitivity, I don’t know,” he said.
David Koch, who today received an honorary doctorate, says the Power will defend Butters “to the hilt”. (ABC News)
There is no suggestion from the ABC that Foot’s racing role contradicts his AFL position.
Foot’s LinkedIn page shows he is a very experienced AFL field umpire, with more than 14 years’ experience.
It also lists work as a broadcast host and racing analyst for Sportsbet, commencing in January 2025.
The ABC has contacted the AFL for comment.
Koch said umpiring was a “tough job” and that he had the utmost respect for umpires at all levels.
“Everyone involved in the industry is accountable and this is a process of accountability on both sides, so we go through the process,” he said.
Butters has racked up substantial fines over his career and recently reached the $50,000 mark in financial sanctions.
But Koch said that none of those fines related to Butters being “disrespectful to umpires or officials”.
“He’s always had great respect for officials,” Koch said.
