- Three A-League footballers arrested on Friday
- Investigation into betting corruption allegations follows
- A trio of anonymous gamers are all based in Sydney
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into allegations of betting corruption led by Strike Force Beaconview.
The investigation revealed that a senior player allegedly followed instructions from a man – believed to be off the coast of South America – to arrange for yellow cards to be shown during certain matches in exchange for profits.
Police say a senior Macarthur FC player was following the man’s instructions to arrange for yellow cards to be awarded during matches to make a profit.
Police say the senior player managed to control the number of yellow cards – which are given to players by a referee for foul play – in a match against Melbourne Victory on November 24 and a match against Sydney FC on December 9.
Police also confirmed that failed attempts to tamper with yellow cards also took place during the matches on April 20 and May 4.
Following extensive inquiries, at around 6am on Friday, strike force detectives – with the assistance of the Central Metropolitan Area Operational Support Group, Odin – executed a search warrant in South Coogee, where they arrested a 33-year-old man.
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into allegations of betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview (stock image)
The trio of anonymous footballers are all based in Sydney (stock image)
He was taken to Mascot police station, where he is expected to be charged with two counts of conduct corrupting the outcome of a bet on an event, and two counts of facilitating conduct corrupting the outcome of a bet on an event.
Simultaneously, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Raptor Squad, 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 conduct likely to corrupt the outcome of a bet 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 conduct likely to corrupt the outcome of a bet on an event.
Detectives from the Organized Crime Squad are working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, the Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Crime Commission as investigations continue.
No charges have been filed at this time.
Football Australia released a statement regarding the arrests on Friday.
“Football Australia has been informed of the arrest of three A-League Men’s players this morning, following an investigation by the NSW Police Organized Crime Squad into allegations of betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview. The arrested players are expected to appear in court this afternoon.
“The allegations relate to yellow card handling by players associated with a south-west Sydney football club, with incidents allegedly occurring during matches played on November 24, 2023, December 9, 2023, April 20, 2024 and May 4, 2024.
“Football Australia is fully co-operating 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.”
