Three A-League players face betting corruption charges

The A-League, Australia’s top flight football division, has announced that three players face charges after an investigation uncovered suspected betting corruption.

Led by the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad Gaming Unit, investigations revealed that a senior player was receiving instructions from an individual, suspected to be located offshore in South America, to orchestrate yellow cards during specific games in exchange for financial gain.

The investigation, named Strike Force Beaconview, was launched in December 2023 by the Organised Crime Squad, with support from the UK Gambling Commission. Its primary focus was to look into suspected instances of yellow card manipulation, allegedly involving players associated with a football club based in southwestern Sydney.

The Crime Squad found that yellow cards were allegedly influenced during matches played on 24 November 2023 and 9 December 2023. It also said that there were failed attempts to control the number of yellow cards during games on 20 April 2024 and 4 May 2024.

Following extensive inquiries, this morning (17 May), strike force detectives, aided by Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group, Odin, executed a search warrant in South Coogee.

They arrested a 33-year-old man, charging him with two counts each of engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome, facilitating such conduct and participating in a criminal group.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on 24 June.

At the same time, strike force detectives, aided by Raptor Squad, Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad and North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group, executed three additional search warrants in Parramatta, West Hoxton and Emu Plains.

In Parramatta, a 27-year-old man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station. He was charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome and participating in a criminal group. The man was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 27 June.

Furthermore, in West Hoxton, a 32-year-old man was arrested by detectives and taken to Campbelltown Police Station. There, he was charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome and participating in a criminal group. The man was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on 30 May.

Looking forward, Organised Crime Squad detectives will collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Crime Commission as investigations proceed.

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) posted its Q1 2024 report in April, in which it found that football accounted for the most suspicious betting alerts. 

Looking at football in particular, IBIA detailed that the 24 alerts marked a 50% increase on the 16 reported in the fourth quarter of last year and a 60% increase on the 15 reported in the first quarter.