Cate Sayers Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Former Carlton President Husband
The wife of former Carlton Football Club president Luke Sayers has initiated legal proceedings against her husband, alleging he falsely implicated her in the publication of an explicit photograph on his X account in January 2025. Cate Sayers has launched a defamation claim in the Supreme Court of Victoria, asserting that her husband provided a statutory declaration to the AFL Commission's integrity unit wrongfully accusing her of posting the lewd image.
Allegations of False Accusations and Breach of Confidence
In court documents released on Thursday, Mrs. Sayers contends that her husband "shamelessly" disseminated "knowingly false information" about her personal history, health, and welfare. The writ alleges that Mr. Sayers portrayed her as "unstable, untrustworthy, erratic, mentally disturbed, and/or as a live risk to her own safety and the health and safety of her own family." These claims, she argues, were made for improper purposes and constitute a serious breach of confidence.
The controversy stems from a photograph of Mr. Sayers' penis that appeared on his X account last year, which also tagged a female executive from Bupa, one of Carlton's primary sponsors. Mr. Sayers initially denied posting the image, claiming his account had been compromised, and was subsequently cleared by the AFL integrity unit's investigation. Despite this clearance, he resigned as Carlton president shortly after the findings were released.
Impact on Personal and Professional Life
Mrs. Sayers, founder and director of a not-for-profit organization providing fitness programs for individuals with Down's Syndrome, claims the allegations have caused her "significant distress, hurt, and embarrassment." She is seeking equitable compensation for damages, arguing that the statutory declaration's publication led to her being ostracized from AFL circles and avoided by acquaintances.
"From shortly after the publication of the statutory declaration by Luke, and continuing thereafter, Cate has been shunned and avoided by persons she knew and had relationships with, who are involved with the AFL, Carlton, the game of AFL generally, and others who knew Luke and Cate," the writ states. The document further alleges that Mr. Sayers disclosed private information about her mental health, sexual history, and family relationships, violating her confidentiality.
Investigation Details and Legal Proceedings
The statutory declaration was part of the AFL integrity unit's probe into the incident, which concluded that Mr. Sayers' account had been "compromised." However, Mrs. Sayers claims the AFL did not consult her during the investigation regarding the accusations against her. She argues that the AFL and Carlton's media statements legitimized the declaration, implying to the public that her husband's evidence was trustworthy and that she was responsible for the post.
Mrs. Sayers has requested access to the statutory declaration provided to the AFL as part of her claim. Meanwhile, Mr. Sayers, who has not yet filed a defence, has appointed legal counsel to advise him on the matter. A representative for Mr. Sayers previously stated that he "rejects the claims being made against him."
Background and Aftermath of the Scandal
The couple, who separated in April, were both in Italy when the image was posted, though Mrs. Sayers was not staying at the same hotel as her husband and their two daughters. She learned of the incident through a close friend. Mr. Sayers, a father of four with over 7,300 followers on X, hastily deleted the post, but it had already been screenshotted and reposted by other users.
At the time, Mr. Sayers wrote, "Sorry, my account has been hacked, please ignore all posts," and told the Daily Mail he was "outraged" by the attack and "leaving no stone unturned in finding out who did this." Following his resignation from Carlton, he also stepped back as chairman of his consulting company, Sayers Group, which has since rebranded to Tenet, with Mr. Sayers listed as a director on its website.
The legal battle highlights the ongoing fallout from the scandal, with Mrs. Sayers seeking redress for what she describes as a profound violation of her privacy and reputation.
