Carlton Blues

Carlton boss and club provide statements on lewd pic scandal

The statements come after a week of silence since the social media post.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Carlton president Luke Sayers is reportedly battling to keep a hold of his presidency at the Victorian powerhouse amid a lewd photo scandal.

A week ago, Sayers claimed he was involved in a sinister hacking incident on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, where a picture of male genitalia was blasted online and tagged a female executive from one of the club's sponsors.

Since, the Blues president denied his involvement and has temporarily deactivated his account.

"Sorry my account has been hacked — please ignore all posts," Sayers wrote on his X account.

"This is outrageous. I'm investigating and will leave no stone unturned finding out who did this to me and my family," Sayers said in a statement to the Herald Sun last week.

However, as the story unfolds, Sayers and Carlton's silence appears damning while the AFL has also remained tight-lipped about the swirling controversy.

Carlton eventually released a statement on Friday regarding the scandal.

"In relation to the matter involving President Luke Sayers' social media account, the club continues to cooperate and liaise with the AFL Integrity Unit," the club statement read.

"The club notified the league last week and reached out to those involved, including individuals and corporate partners to provide care and support.

"Given the sensitive nature of this issue, the club acknowledges the effect and impact this has on individuals and will provide ongoing support to those involved.

"We will continue to cooperate with the AFL Integrity Unit and appreciate the patience required to work through this matter, an update will be provided by the club when in a position to do so."

Sayers' statement was released soon after the club on behalf of a media spokesperson attributable to the president.

"Mr Sayers did not post an image to his X account on 8 January 2025," the statement begins.

"When he was alerted that his social media had been hacked, he immediately disabled all of his accounts and engaged legal counsel.

"Mr Sayers acknowledges the distress of everyone impacted by this shocking incident.

"Mr Sayers and the club have been engaging with the AFL Integrity Unit, and he will continue to deal with this issue without further public comment."

SEN journalist Sam Edmund believes that Sayers' position at the club could be in strife, having remained hushed during the process despite denying any wrongdoing.

"The heat is building around Luke Sayers," Edmund said.

"We've probably danced around this topic for a couple of days, but Carlton won't comment, the AFL won't comment and won't confirm if they are investigating.

"Sayers has maintained he is the victim of a sinister hacking incident, a scenario that social media experts have said is highly unusual given he didn't appear to be locked out of his account.

"He could tweet a message saying he had been hacked … he's since deleted that account and remains overseas on holiday with his family in Italy.

"This is something that is going to continue to bubble away. It's not going to go away."

Carlton's board has the power to remove Sayers as president with a vote among itself, rather than having to put it to members.

According to The Age journalist Peter Ryan, the Blues have referred the posting of a lewd pick to the AFL Integrity Unit.

It is understood that Sayers was on a skiing holiday in Italy's Alps with his wife Cate, their four daughters and some friends when the image was sent.

Published by
Aidan Cellini