Legal Battles Intensify: Wife Accuses Ex-Carlton Boss of Defamation Over Explicit Photo Scandal
VICTORIA’S Supreme Court became the stage for a high-profile courtroom clash this week as Cate Sayers wept in public during proceedings concerning her defamation lawsuit against her estranged husband, former Carlton Football Club president Luke Sayers. The case centres on an explicit photograph that briefly appeared on Mr. Sayers' X account in January of last year, an incident that ultimately preceded his resignation from the club. Mrs. Sayers claims Mr. Sayers defamed her by alleging she was responsible for the post.
Mrs. Sayers is actively opposing any attempts to move the proceedings to a private venue, insisting the matter be heard openly before a jury. Central to her claim are court documents detailing a statutory declaration submitted by Mr. Sayers to the AFL Commission’s integrity unit. In this declaration, Mr. Sayers allegedly accused his wife of posting the lewd image. Mrs. Sayers asserts this constitutes defamation, arguing the document contained private and false information about her personal life, including her mental health, relationships, and past interactions with law enforcement.
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Court Orders Compel AFL, Carlton Cooperation
In a significant development, the AFL and Carlton Football Club have been ordered to provide internal communications related to the infamous 'dick pic' scandal. Mrs. Sayers’ legal team sought these court orders, demanding the handover of explosive emails and documents. Her legal representatives contend the AFL’s integrity investigation was compromised, suggesting the league worked too closely with Mr. Sayers and Carlton while publicly clearing him.
Mrs. Sayers seeks access to communications involving AFL executives, Carlton officials, and members of Mr. Sayers' inner circle. She asserts the AFL accepted her husband's account without a thorough investigation. Additionally, a senior executive at Mr. Sayers’ consulting firm, Julie Trainor, has also been requested to produce relevant records.
Background: Scandal and Resignation
The scandal erupted while Luke Sayers was on holiday in Italy. The explicit image, which did not show a face, appeared on his social media account and was reportedly tagged to a female executive from Bupa, a Carlton corporate partner. Mr. Sayers has consistently maintained he did not post the image, deliberately or accidentally. He resigned from his role as Carlton president shortly after the AFL cleared him of wrongdoing following an integrity probe, stepping down from the club's board two weeks later. Mrs. Sayers subsequently launched her defamation writ in the Supreme Court, with Mr. Sayers yet to formally file his defence.
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