Eddie McGuire Calls for AFL to Implement Two Essential Changes Following Zak Butters Tribunal: ‘It Drives Me Crazy’

Eddie McGuire has urged the AFL to implement full-time professional umpires following the tribunal hearing involving Zak Butters.

On Tuesday night, the tribunal concluded that Butters had used abusive and insulting language towards umpire Nick Foot.

The Port Adelaide star allegedly asked Foot how much he was being paid after the umpire awarded a free kick. Foot also works as a broadcast host and racing analyst for Sportsbet.

During a segment on Nine’s Footy Classified, McGuire expressed his frustration over this incident, identifying it as one of two key issues that ‘drive him mad’—the other being the AFL’s decision regarding the tribunal chair.

After Butters was found guilty, the tribunal couldn’t furnish its reasoning because the hearing time limit had expired and chair Renee Enbom KC had a previous commitment. Explanations for the decision are scheduled to be released on Wednesday.

McGuire expressed that the AFL should have appointed another KC to conclude the hearing properly.

“It frustrates me. In a multi-billion dollar industry… they should have organised another KC, especially for such a significant case,” he remarked.

“This was a matter that required finalisation. Why not defer it until tomorrow to ensure everyone could be present?”

McGuire continued by saying the AFL ought to provide umpires with the opportunity to transition into full-time professionals and integrate them into other areas of the organisation.

He asserted that he did not believe Foot’s affiliation with Sportsbet had any bearing on his officiating.

“There’s been a lot of chatter about umpire Foot’s connection to Sportsbet, but I think that became background noise. I don’t believe it influenced his thoughts… I’d trust his word on that matter,” McGuire remarked.

“When will the AFL move to full-time umpires so they don’t need to juggle jobs at Sportsbet or elsewhere?

“It doesn’t mean we have to make everyone full-time right away—you can roll this out gradually if you’re a professional and don’t want to stop being a lawyer or whatever, that’s okay.

“However, I think we’re at a point now where we must establish full-time professional umpires who can handle all these responsibilities and be involved in various aspects of the game.

“Umpire Foot is an adept presenter—he would excel at working with the AFL relaying what happens over the weekend, I would imagine.”

Co-panelist James Hird praised Foot’s abilities and suggested the AFL Review Centre could be an ideal place for him and other umpires.

Butters was fined $1500, but he remains firm in his assertion of innocence. Port Adelaide is anticipated to appeal the ruling on Wednesday afternoon once the tribunal’s reasoning is disclosed.