A former Australian Football League (AFL) player agent has been convicted of selling footballs with forged signatures, following testimonies from premiership players in court.
The court heard that 62-year-old Ricky Nixon paid approximately $18,000 in cash for over 40 footballs, allegedly signed by Melbourne’s 2021 premiership team. These transactions took place with a man from a truck in a car park, as detailed in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Nixon subsequently listed the footballs for sale on Facebook in early October 2021, with three fans purchasing them for around $595 each.
One buyer noticed a discrepancy: Captain Max Gawn’s signature bore the number 13 instead of his actual player number, 11, and requested a replacement.
Nixon assured the buyer he had spoken with Gawn, claiming that “Max had apologized and didn’t realize that ball would be circulated,” according to text messages presented in court.
However, Gawn testified that he had never signed a football with the number 13, contradicting Nixon’s claims.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet found Nixon had lied about this to Weir as he found him guilty and convicted him on Tuesday afternoon, fining him $4500 for the offending.
“From at least this point in time he must’ve known the footballs were fake or fraudulent,” he said.
Nixon was found guilty of four charges, including obtaining property by deception and deceptively use false document.
The magistrate said it was “indisputable” the signatures on the balls he sold to three men did not correspond with real signatures from the Melbourne premiership side.
“I am satisfied all charges are found proven and to the criminal standard,” Sonnet said.
He ordered Nixon pay back the three customers $595 for the fraudulent scheme.
Outside court, Spargo told media he was disappointed for Melbourne supporters who paid money for the signed merchandise.
“It’s just frustrating for the fans and the football club,” he said.
