The former president of the Carlton Football Club, Luke Sayers, is now confronting a defamation lawsuit filed by his estranged wife, Cate Sayers, in a dramatic new twist to a scandal that rocked the Australian Rules football community.
Allegations and Court Filings
According to a report in The Australian Financial Review, legal documents submitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria by Cate Sayers allege that Luke implied she was responsible for posting an explicit image to his X (formerly Twitter) account on January 8 last year. The filings further claim he made damaging comments about her mental health.
A spokesperson for Cate Sayers confirmed the defamation proceedings were commenced on Tuesday but declined to elaborate, stating, "As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further." The report suggests the claim by Luke was made in a statutory declaration provided to the AFL Commission's integrity unit during its investigation.
The Scandal That Led to a Resignation
The controversy erupted when a lewd image was published from Luke Sayers' account, which tagged a female executive at Bupa, a major club sponsor. Sayers, a father-of-four, vehemently denied posting it, asserting his account was hacked. He deleted the post after 12 minutes and apologised to his followers.
Although the AFL Integrity Unit later cleared him of responsibility, the damage was profound. Bupa cancelled its naming rights for Carlton's 'Run for Respect' charity event in February, citing a priority for employee wellbeing. Sayers subsequently stepped down from his role as Carlton president on January 22, 2025, after 12 years with the club, and also announced he would step back as chairman of his Sayers Group consultancy.
Personal Fallout and a Fresh Start
The scandal had severe personal repercussions. It was revealed in April that Cate Sayers had left her husband. A friend of the family told NewsCorp that Cate, described as a "strong person, but also a realist," left to prioritise protecting their children. "Now she knows it is the right time for a fresh start," the friend added.
The news of the lawsuit follows reports that Luke Sayers was seen on a dinner date with a mystery woman three months after his resignation. The defamation case introduces a new legal front in a saga that has intertwined professional disgrace, personal breakdown, and now alleged reputational damage between estranged partners.
