'Really annoyed' Zak Butters referred straight to AFL tribunal for umpire abuse allegation

Zak Butters has been referred straight to the AFL tribunal after he was reported for abusive language towards an umpire in Port Adelaide's clash with St Kilda on Sunday.

The match review officer's decision comes after it was revealed there is no umpire microphone audio to support Butter's defence as it is currently not available.

That was first broken on SEN by Tom Morris with the AFL since confirming the exchange was not picked up.

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The allegation is that Butters said to umpire Nick Foot: "How much are they paying you?"

"Zak Butters is really annoyed this morning and he was last night," Morris said on SEN Breakfast.

"He feels like his reputation and his standing in the game has been put through the mud by the suggestion from umpire Nick Foot that he has abused him in any way, shape or form."

Kane Cornes said: "It's big for Zak. It's big. It's cost him a 50 and a goal."

"And he's been placed on report and there's a certain level of shame that comes with that – that you let your team down at a crucial time.

"So what's the ramifications for the umpire?"

Butters' hearing has been set for Tuesday with the time yet to be confirmed.

The Port Adelaide skipper was adamant there were no expletives or abusive language shared between him and umpire Foot on the field during Sunday's 14-point loss in Adelaide.

The incident came after a free kick was paid to St Kilda's Mitch Owens when he was held in a ruck contest.

Butters gestured to the umpire after watching the incident on replay, resulting in a 50-metre penalty and the report of abusive language.

As the umpire microphone audio cannot be accessed, it will leave Port Adelaide's captain having to use his teammates as witnesses as he pleads his case.

"I'd love to know the language that I said, because I went up to him after the game, and obviously just to have a chat, like any two humans do," Butters told Seven.

"He said he didn't want to speak to me. All I said was: 'How was that a free kick?' He gave it 50 and said I'm on report.

"I had a few teammates right next to me, [including] Ollie Wines.

"I'm curious to follow that one up, because I'm never going to say anything bad to the umpire.

"I just want to follow up and ask what he thought I said from his end.

"Genuinely no swear words, any bad language. That's why I was curious and obviously a bit frustrated, because it led to a goal," he further explained.

"I feel like I'm a pretty honest bloke out there and have a good relationship with most umpires. I'm sure the club will deal with that.

"I'd fight it [any charge] to the hills, because I know what I said, and I know I didn't say anything bad."

Port Adelaide sit 10th on the ladder and will play Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.