Macarthur FC ‘shocked’ after police charge three players over alleged betting corruption | A-League Men
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Macarthur FC said it was “shocked” after three of its players were arrested and charged in Sydney in connection with an international investigation that uncovered an alleged betting corruption scandal.
Police in New South Wales said on Friday they had arrested and charged the three A-League footballers in morning raids across the city following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad which began in December and was assisted by the UK Gambling Commission .
Alleged betting corruption uncovered by Strike Force Beaconview involved “yellow card manipulation”, police said in a statement.
“Investigations have revealed that a senior player was allegedly instructed by a man – believed to be offshore in South America – to arrange for yellow cards to be received during certain games in exchange for a profit,” the statement said. .
Police said the three players were charged on Friday and were waiting for a fourth player from the club to return to NSW from the interstate.
They said they also expected to charge him and would seek his extradition if he did not return in the coming days.
Detectives say a senior player at Macarthur was in contact with a “controller” – an organized crime figure in South America – who asked him to “ensure that certain events occur within the games to allow illegal gambling of these events’.
The senior player then allegedly recruited “several other members of their team to ensure that other acts or incidents occurred within certain games.”
Police allege the criminal soccer ring paid junior players up to $10,000 to deliberately receive yellow cards during matches.
In a brief statement, Macarthur FC said the club was shocked.
“The integrity of our game is a fundamental pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter.”
Det Supt Peter Faux, commander of the organized crime unit, said investigations so far suggested all the betting involved was taking place offshore, mostly in South America, and that betting agencies around the world were still being contacted.
“In connection with one of the matches, there are several hundred thousand dollars that are paid out,” Fox said.
Faux said it was “extremely unfortunate” that the alleged actions of a few players could affect the integrity of the game that so many people around the world are passionate about.
“These people are lucky to be in a position where, in some cases, they get paid a lot of money to do something they love.”
The early morning raids were carried out on Friday out of fear that those involved planned to leave the country immediately, police said.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald, the state’s crime commander, said “all sports fans understand that even one penalty can change the way the game goes and also the way the momentum of that game can be carried “.
“[We will allege] these players betrayed the trust of their supporters and the codex,” he said.
Fitzgerald said the arrests should act as a warning to young athletes.
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Police executed a search warrant in South Coogee on Friday morning and arrested a 33-year-old man.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with two counts of engaging in conduct that taints the outcome of betting on an event, facilitating conduct that taints the outcome of betting on an event and being part of a criminal group.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Center Local Court on June 24.
At the same time, detectives from the strike force executed three search warrants in Parramatta, West Hoxton and Emu Plains. Police said they arrested a 27-year-old man at the address in Parramatta and a 32-year-old man in West Hoxton.
The 27-year-old was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts the result of betting on the event and being part of a criminal group. The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Center Local Court on June 27.
The 32-year-old man was taken to Campbelltown police station where he was charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts the outcome of a betting event and being part of a criminal group. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on May 30.
Police said detectives from the Organized Crime Unit were working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Sports Integrity Australia (SIA), Football AustraliaThe Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and the NSW Crime Commission while investigations continue.
The Australian Professional Leagues – the governing body of the A-Leagues formed in 2020 to take over operational duties from Football Australia – released a brief statement on Friday but said it would not comment further.
“The work to protect the integrity of our game must be unwavering and we are liaising closely with all relevant agencies on this matter,” the APL said.
Football Australia, the sport’s governing body, said it was aware of the arrests.
“Football Australia is cooperating fully with the Organized Crime Unit, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sport Integrity Australia and the NSW Crime Commission in this matter,” it said.
Sport Integrity Australia said: “SIA and ACIC acted on information provided by a UK agency and worked with the relevant Australian authorities, resulting in a referral to NSW Police.”
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