- Three A-League footballers arrested on Friday
- Investigation into alleged corruption in betting continues
- The trio of anonymous players are based in Sydney
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview.
Investigations revealed that a senior player was allegedly receiving instructions from a man (believed to be offshore in South America) to arrange for yellow cards to be issued during certain games in exchange for winnings.
The number of yellow cards would have been manipulated during the matches played on Friday, November 24 of last year as well as on Saturday, December 9.
Unsuccessful attempts were then allegedly made to control the number of yellow cards during the matches on Saturday 20 April this year and then on Saturday 4 May.
Following extensive investigations, at around 6am on Friday, strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group, Odin, executed a search warrant in South Coogee, 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 an event bet, and two counts of facilitating conduct corrupting the outcome of an event bet. .
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview (file image)
The trio of anonymous football players are based in Sydney (file image)
Simultaneously, strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Raptor Squad, the Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad and the North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group, executed three further search warrants in Parramatta, West Hoxton and Emu Plains in western Sydney.
At the Parramatta address, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man.
He was taken to Parramatta police station, where he is expected to be charged with engaging in conduct corrupting the outcome of betting on an event.
In West Hoxton, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man. He was taken to Campbelltown police station where he is expected to be charged with engaging in conduct corrupting the outcome of betting on an event.
Organized Crime Team detectives are working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, the Australian Professional Leagues and the New South Wales Crime Commission as investigations continue.
Football Australia released a statement on Friday about the arrests.
‘Football Australia has been informed of the arrest of three male A-League players this morning, following an investigation by the New South Wales Police Force’s Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview. The detained players are expected to appear in court this afternoon.
“The allegations concern yellow card tampering by players associated with a south-west Sydney football club, with incidents alleged to have occurred during matches played on November 24, 2023, December 9, 2023, on 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 New South Wales Crime Commission in this matter.
“Football Australia will not be making any further comment at this time as the investigation is ongoing.”