Zak Butters AFL Tribunal case live updates, Port Adelaide star fighting umpire abuse charge

"It was a boundary throw in, I awarded a ruck free kick for a hold of the jumper to St Kilda player Owens. I then ran in to set the mark for the free kick. I entered into a short discussion with Sweet explaining why the free kick was paid, my comment was "a fistful of jumper".

"Once Owens had taken his line, I backed back 10 metres as we are instructed to do in order to allow the set shot at goal.

"I was approximately a metre away (from Butters).

"After I blew my whistle to ask Owens to commence his run in and shot for goal, the comment Butters made to me was "how much are they paying you?'.

"I awarded a 50 metre penalty, I signalled in the direction of Butters the signal for abuse."

"Make no mistake, the decision to deny or allow Foot an opportunity to work as a racing analyst while retaining his role as an AFL umpire would not have been an easy one.

"But it was a difficult call that had to be made for the good of the game, and for the good of the individual.

"Gambling with conflict of interest matters in professional sport, as well-meaning as it was, was destined to end poorly."

"The Port Adelaide Football Club will defend in the strongest possible way the allegations made by AFL umpire Nick Foot against Butters.

"Port Adelaide believes the words used by Butters were misheard and misconstrued from what was actually said.

"Acting club captain Butters is unambiguously adamant on what was said and the club strongly supports him and his position.

"Former club captain and Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines was standing next to Butters and Foot at the time of the exchange and will provide a witness statement in support of Butters.

"Port Adelaide is also disappointed that umpire Foot dismissively refused Butters' attempt to seek clarification post-game, as captain of the club."

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