Three A-League football players ARRESTED over alleged betting corruption ring
- Three A-League footballers were arrested on Friday
- Follows investigation into alleged corruption in gambling
- A trio of unnamed players are all based in Sydney
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into alleged gambling corruption under Strike Force Beaconview.
Investigations revealed that a senior player had allegedly taken instructions from a man – believed to be offshore in South America – to avoid yellow cards during certain matches in return for winnings.
The number of yellow cards was allegedly manipulated during matches played on Friday, November 24 last year and Saturday, December 9.
Subsequently, unsuccessful attempts were made to control the number of yellow cards during matches on Saturday April 20 this year and then on Saturday May 4.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group, Odin – executed a search warrant in South Coogee at around 6am on Friday, where they arrested a 33-year-old man.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station where he is expected to be charged with two counts of engaging in conduct corrupting the outcome of gambling at an event, and two counts of facilitating conduct corrupting the outcome of gambling at an event.
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into alleged gambling corruption under Strike Force Beaconview (stock image)
The trio of unnamed footballers are all based in Sydney (stock image)
At the same time, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad, Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad and North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group – executed three other search warrants in Parramatta, West Hoxton and Emu Plains in Sydney’s west.
Detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at the Parramatta address.
He was taken to Parramatta police station where he is expected to be charged with conduct corrupting the betting outcome of an event.
Detectives have arrested a 32-year-old man in West Hoxton. He was taken to Campbelltown police station where he is expected to be charged with conduct corrupting the betting outcome of an event.
Detectives from the Organized Crime Squad are working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Crime Commission as the investigation continues.
Football Australia released a statement on the arrests on Friday.
‘Football Australia was this morning informed of the arrests of three A-League Men players, following an investigation by the NSW Police Force Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview. The arrested players are expected to appear in court this afternoon.
“The charges relate to yellow card tampering by players associated with a football club in Sydney’s south-west, with incidents alleged to have occurred during matches played on November 24, 2023, December 9, 2023, April 20, 2024 and May 4, 2024.
“Football Australia is cooperating fully with the Organized Crime Squad, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sport Integrity Australia and the NSW Crime Commission in this matter.
‘Football Australia will make no further comment at this stage as the investigation is ongoing.’