The estranged wife of former Carlton president Luke Sayers has initiated legal proceedings against him, stemming from a lewd photo scandal that precipitated his resignation from the Australian Football League (AFL) club. Cate Sayers has filed a defamation writ in the Supreme Court, alleging that her husband implied she was responsible for posting a compromising image on his social media account.
The legal action accuses Luke Sayers of making damaging claims about Cate’s mental health as he navigated the repercussions of the scandal. The incident occurred while Sayers was vacationing in Italy, when an image of a naked man was posted on his account in January last year. The post, which tagged a female executive from Bupa, a corporate partner of the club, was removed after 13 minutes.
Background of the Scandal
Following the incident, Luke Sayers quickly apologized, attributing the post to a hack and urging followers to disregard all posts before deactivating his account. Two weeks later, he resigned from the Blues board. The couple has since separated.
A spokesperson for Cate Sayers confirmed the legal proceedings, stating, “We can confirm that proceedings have been commenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria. As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Attempts to reach Sayers for comment were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, an AFL investigation conducted in January last year concluded that Sayers was not responsible for the post and had not violated any rules. The league stated that Sayers’ account had been compromised and the image was posted by someone other than the former Blues president.
Luke Sayers’ Response and Resignation
In a statement released at the time of his resignation, Sayers described the post as “unauthorized” and maintained that he did not upload the image, either deliberately or accidentally. He expressed deep regret for the impact the incident had on his family, friends, colleagues, and football club.
“I am aware of speculation that the naming of another person in the post explains why it happened. It does not, and that narrative is wrong. I am so sorry for the hurt that has caused,” Sayers stated.
Sayers reiterated his remorse, acknowledging the widespread consequences of the scandal on those around him.
Professional and Personal Repercussions
Beyond his role with the Carlton Football Club, Luke Sayers is a former chief executive of PwC Australia, where he served for 29 years, including eight years as CEO before departing in 2020. The firm has recently been embroiled in a separate scandal involving senior partners allegedly misusing confidential government tax plans to attract new clients. This controversy led to the spinning off of its government advisory business and the dismissal of hundreds of staff and partners.
In 2023, Sayers appeared before a Senate inquiry, asserting that he was unaware of the PwC scandal until after his departure from the company.
Implications and Next Steps
The legal proceedings initiated by Cate Sayers add a new dimension to the ongoing fallout from the lewd photo scandal. As the case progresses in the Supreme Court of Victoria, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact Luke Sayers’ personal and professional reputation.
This development follows a series of high-profile controversies surrounding prominent figures in the Australian corporate and sports sectors, highlighting the complex interplay between personal actions and public accountability. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future.
