Former AFL superstar Wayne Carey has found himself at the centre of controversy after being photographed with notorious outlaw bikie Tarek Zahed, who miraculously survived a brutal assassination attempt in Sydney last year.
The image, which shows Carey and Zahed posing for a selfie, has sent shockwaves through both sporting and law enforcement circles. Zahed, a high-ranking member of the Comanchero motorcycle gang, was shot multiple times in an execution-style attack in May 2022 that left his brother dead.
Unlikely Friendship Raises Eyebrows
Carey, known as 'The King' during his illustrious AFL career, has previously admitted to past associations with underworld figures. However, this latest photograph has reignited concerns about his connections to organised crime networks.
"It's certainly not a good look for someone of Carey's profile to be associating with known criminals," said a senior police source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Zahed's Miraculous Survival
Tarek Zahed's survival story reads like something from a Hollywood script. The Comanchero sergeant-at-arms was shot 10 times at close range in an attack at a Sydney gym that claimed the life of his brother Omar.
Medical experts described his survival as "nothing short of miraculous" after bullets struck his head, face and body. Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, Zahed made a remarkable recovery and was back on the streets within months.
Carey's Controversial Past
This isn't the first time Carey's associations have made headlines. The former North Melbourne champion has:
- Previously admitted to using cocaine
- Been linked to Melbourne's underworld figures
- Had numerous off-field controversies during and after his playing career
The AFL legend has reinvented himself as a media personality in recent years, but this latest incident threatens to overshadow his professional renaissance.
Police Concerns Grow
Law enforcement officials have expressed concern about the normalisation of relationships between high-profile sports stars and organised crime figures.
"When celebrities publicly associate with known criminals, it creates a perception that these people are acceptable members of society," the police source added.
The photograph comes at a sensitive time for authorities, who continue to battle Sydney's ongoing gang war that has claimed multiple lives in recent years.
