The options ahead of Luke Sayers after lewd photo scandal
Now that Carlton president Luke Sayers, the club and the AFL integrity unit made it clear in a series of statements they are working together to support those impacted by the posting – by someone other than Sayers – of the lewd image to his social media account, there’s only one question that stands out from a football standpoint.
Will he remain as club president for what was always going to be his final season at the helm?
People at Carlton, the AFL, and the club sponsor that employs a person caught up in what a Sayers spokesperson rightfully described as “a shocking incident” will formulate a response that has those affected at the heart of their decisions.
Carlton president Luke Sayers.Credit: Elke Meitzel
The Carlton sponsorship remains in place and there is no suggestion that it is in jeopardy as the club and the company remain in dialogue.
A spokesperson said Sayers did not post the lewd image to his social media account.
The Blues say they will give another update when in a position to do so, with half a dozen industry figures familiar with the situation – but speaking on condition of anonymity – suggesting Sayers has the following options once he returns to Australia:
He can support the results of the AFL integrity investigation being made public. The AFL confirmed on Friday the inquiry has been under way since the Blues referred the matter to them soon after the post appeared.
“The Carlton Football Club made the AFL aware of the matter involving the social media post last week, with the AFL integrity unit making ongoing enquiries and providing appropriate assistance and support to those required across the last week. The enquiries remain ongoing,” an AFL spokesperson said in a statement.
Making the outcome public might help to protect other high-profile figures in business and sport who could be vulnerable to such an attack made with malicious intent. In the era of deep fakes, manipulation of images and cybercrime, such an investigation would serve a broad purpose. It would also be consistent with the president’s emotional declaration he would leave no stone unturned in finding the culprit after he said he had been hacked.
