Eddie McGuire Expresses Frustration: Urges AFL to Implement Two Crucial Changes Following Zak Butters’ Tribunal Hearing

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

On Tuesday evening, the tribunal found Butters guilty of making abusive and insulting remarks towards umpire Nick Foot.

The Port Adelaide star allegedly questioned Foot, “How much are they paying you?” after Foot awarded a free kick. Foot also serves as a broadcast host and racing analyst for Sportsbet.

During an episode of Nine’s Footy Classified on Tuesday, McGuire expressed that this incident underscored two issues that ‘drive him mad,’ with the other being the AFL’s decision regarding the tribunal’s chairperson.

After Butters was deemed guilty, the tribunal was unable to provide its rationale for the ruling as the hearing time had lapsed and chair Renee Enbom KC had a prior engagement. The reasoning for the decision is expected to be shared on Wednesday.

McGuire expressed that the AFL should have enlisted another KC to ensure the hearing concluded effectively.

“It drives me mad. In a multi-billion-dollar industry … find another KC if possible, as this is a significant case,” he stated.

“This needed to be sorted out. Why not delay it until tomorrow and gather everyone?”

McGuire continued by suggesting that the AFL ought to transition umpires into full-time roles, incorporating them into various facets of the organisation.

He stressed that he didn’t believe Foot’s connection with Sportsbet influenced his judgement.

“There’s been a lot of chatter about umpire Foot’s affiliation with Sportsbet, which I believe was just noise afterwards. I don’t think it affected his decisions … I’d take him at his word in that situation,” McGuire asserted.

“When will we move to having full-time umpires so they aren’t forced to juggle other jobs at places like Sportsbet?”

“It doesn’t mean they all have to become full-time immediately; this can be phased in if an umpire wants to maintain their career as a lawyer or similar, that’s entirely acceptable.

“However, I believe we’ve reached a juncture where we need professional umpires working full-time, capable of addressing multiple responsibilities and engaging in various roles.”

“Umpire Foot is a competent presenter – he could be excellent for the AFL in clarifying what transpires on weekends, you would think.”

Fellow panellist James Hird noted that Foot is a good umpire and suggested the AFL Review Centre could be a fitting position for him and other umpires.

Following the decision, Butters was fined $1500 but has consistently maintained his innocence. Port Adelaide is anticipated to appeal the ruling on Wednesday afternoon after the reasoning has been unveiled.