Senior members of the umpiring fraternity are raising questions about Nick Foot’s work with Sportsbet as the fallout to the Zak Butters saga takes an “ironic” twist.

Butters had his umpire abuse case thrown out after the AFL appeals board ruled the tribunal had committed an “error of law” through a “miscarriage of justice”.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Butters cleared after chaotic AFL tribunal case

The Port Adelaide superstar was originally fined $1500 by the AFL tribunal last Tuesday for allegedly abusing field umpire Nick Foot during the Power’s loss to St Kilda in Round 5.

Foot told the tribunal Butters asked him “How much are they paying you?’‘ after awarding the Saints a free kick.

Butters vehemently denied making that comment, but the tribunal sided with the umpire, who reported him at the time of the incident.

Monday night’s appeals board hearing barely referenced the original incident, as Port appealed based on an error of law regarding former Essendon midfielder Jason Johnson’s conduct as a panel member.

Johnson, a real estate agent, tuned in to the online hearing in his office then briefly disconnected and switched devices to his mobile phone as he drove to an open house inspection.

The final verdict puts an end to a saga that has dominated the headlines.

But a byproduct of the saga was Foot’s external work as a horseracing analyst with gambling giant Sportsbet getting thrust back into the spotlight.

It was originally ticked off the by the AFL at the start of 2025, but now questions are being asked, according to Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson.

“And the great irony out of all of this is that Nick Foot, the umpire who was so angry about his integrity being questioned, and fair enough ... his job with Sportsbet has come into more scrutiny from two of the major newspapers, The Age and The Australian, over the weekend,” she said on The Agenda Setters.

“The football fraternity and football bosses are now raising questions about this. What a bad look it is.

“And even some senior umpiring fraternity members are questioning it as well. Why are the AFL allowing this?”

It is important to note that the AFL is not reviewing its decision to sign off on Foot’s work with Sportsbet and while questions have been raised, there is no suggestion that Foot has done anything wrong.

Meanwhile, Wilson has cast doubt over whether Johnson will be allowed to sit on the AFL tribunal again.

The league admitted his actions were not ideal during the appeal hearing and Johnson himself conceded he made a mistake.

“The hearing finished before my appointment. I deliberated with the team at my appointment to be totally transparent,” Johnson told News Corp.

“I knew as soon as it happened (being in the car) I knew it was a mistake but it was something I couldn’t avoid.

“It wasn’t compromised, I didn’t miss anything of the hearing, I just changed platforms.

“It didn’t impact me being able to deliberate with my fellow tribunal members.”

Wilson said “she can’t see how Jonson can officiate on the tribunal again”.

“I just don’t see how he can be allowed to do it,” she added.

The AFL apologised to all parties for the tribunal process.

“The AFL apologises for the inconvenience caused to the parties for the error of law that has led to this outcome, in particular Zak Butters, Ollie Wines and Ben Rutten of the Port Adelaide Football Club and AFL umpire Nick Foot,” they said in a statement.

“The AFL reiterates its strong support for the AFL Tribunal and all of those who make an important contribution to the conduct of the AFL disciplinary system, including former players who lend an important perspective to these matters.”

Butters is happy to have the saga behind him and focus on football.

“Happy it’s done. Appreciate the club’s work and our legal team’s work. Just really grateful it’s done,” Butters told The Morning Show on Tuesday morning.

“It’s been disappointing and frustrating ... but I’m just focusing on winning games of footy now.”