Sportsbet Stops Working With Nick Foot

May 4, 2026, 08:13
AustraliaSports

Introduction

The company Sportsbet stopped working with AFL umpire Nick Foot.

Main Body

Nick Foot worked for Sportsbet and the AFL. Sportsbet has a new rule. Now, they do not hire people who are sports officials. They want to keep business and sports rules separate. There was a problem with a player named Zak Butters. Mr. Foot said the player used bad words. A court first told the player to pay $1,500. Later, a different court changed the decision. A judge was driving a car during the meeting. This was a big mistake. The player did not have to pay the money.

Conclusion

Mr. Foot is still an AFL umpire. Sportsbet will not hire active sports officials now.

Learning

πŸ›‘ STOPPED vs. STILL

Look at how the story uses time. Some things changed, and some things stayed the same.

1. Things that changed (Past)

  • Stopped β†’ It is finished.
  • Worked β†’ He did this before.
  • Changed β†’ It is different now.

2. Things that are true now (Present)

  • Is still β†’ He is an umpire now AND he was an umpire before.
  • Do not hire β†’ This is the rule today.

πŸ’‘ Simple Trick for A2: If you see -ed at the end of a word (stopped, worked), it usually means the action is over. If you see is still, the action is continuing β†’ it is not finished!

Vocabulary Learning

company (n.)
A business or organization.
Example:The company offers many services.
stopped (v.)
To cease or halt.
Example:The train stopped at the station.
working (v.)
Doing work or functioning.
Example:The machine is working properly.
umpire (n.)
A referee in sports.
Example:The umpire made a decision.
worked (v.)
Past tense of work.
Example:She worked all day.
has (v.)
Present tense of have.
Example:He has a new book.
new (adj.)
Not existing before.
Example:She bought a new car.
rule (n.)
A guideline or law.
Example:The rule is to be honest.
hire (v.)
To employ someone.
Example:They hire new employees.
people (n.)
Human beings.
Example:Many people attended.
want (v.)
Desire.
Example:I want a cookie.
keep (v.)
To maintain or hold.
Example:Keep the door closed.
business (n.)
Commercial activity.
Example:Business grows fast.
separate (v.)
To divide or keep apart.
Example:Separate the waste.
problem (n.)
An issue or difficulty.
Example:There is a problem with the code.
player (n.)
Someone who plays a sport.
Example:The player scored a goal.
bad (adj.)
Not good.
Example:That was a bad idea.
words (n.)
Units of language.
Example:She learned new words.
court (n.)
A place where legal cases are heard.
Example:The court decided the case.
first (adj.)
The earliest.
Example:She was the first to finish.
told (v.)
Past tense of tell.
Example:He told a story.
pay (v.)
To give money for something.
Example:Please pay the bill.
later (adv.)
At a later time.
Example:I will call later.
different (adj.)
Not the same.
Example:They are different colors.
decision (n.)
A choice made.
Example:Make a decision.
judge (n.)
A person who decides in court.
Example:The judge ruled.
driving (v.)
Operating a vehicle.
Example:She was driving to work.
car (n.)
A vehicle.
Example:The car is fast.
during (prep.)
While happening.
Example:During the meeting, she spoke.
meeting (n.)
A gathering to discuss.
Example:The meeting lasted two hours.
big (adj.)
Large.
Example:The big dog barked.
mistake (n.)
An error.
Example:It was a big mistake.
still (adv.)
Even now.
Example:He still plays.
active (adj.)
Engaged or lively.
Example:She is an active volunteer.
now (adv.)
At this time.
Example:We need to act now.