Queensland Police probe betting allegations after Gold Coast United game canned

A soccer match in the top state league was canned before kick-off after a Gold Coast United player was allegedly approached by Chinese company representatives to manipulate betting outcomes.

A Queensland Police probe has been launched after a Gold Coast United game was cancelled by officials hours before kick-off. Picture: File

Police are investigating claims a Gold Coast soccer player was allegedly approached by a Chinese company’s representatives to help manipulate a state premier league match outcome.

The Gold Coast United team’s fixture against Moreton City Excelsior Football Club in Queensland’s National Premier League was to be held on Wednesday night but was axed by officials hours before kick-off.

It is understood a Gold Coast United player who was allegedly approached by a representative from a Chinese company reported the approach to Football Australia (FA).

It’s understood that is what prompted FA to cancel the match to ensure no other players had also been approached. It is unclear how the representatives allegedly encouraged the game to be manipulated for betting outcomes.

The drama has prompted a former top Gold Coast police officer to warn club-level athletes to beware of potential organised crime approaches and alert to how to handle such situations.

In this instance, the second-vs-third match, scheduled to be held at Wolter Park in Albany Creek, was being promoted on Moreton City Excelsior’s Facebook page at 7.30am on Wednesday.

But hours later at 1.42pm, the club posted the game had been “postponed until further notice”.

FA said it was aware of the issue and reported the matter to Queensland Police and Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) for investigation.

“(We) won’t be providing any further comment while the investigation is ongoing,” a spokesman said.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman confirmed it was investigating the allegations.

“QPS are committed to working alongside partner agencies to ensure a safe and competitive sporting environment,” she said.

“There is no further information at this time.”

An SIA spokesman said it was also aware of the issue but it was a matter for police and wouldn’t be commenting further.

Gold Coast United has been contacted for comment.

Former Gold Coast bikie-busting top cop Jim Keogh said the alleged incident was “concerning”.

“It does provide an avenue for organised crime and it does send a message to the sporting organisations to be on the front foot and be having those conversations with their players in relation to the fact they may be approached and what actions need to be taken should they be approached,” he said.

“I think it’s a player beware situation that this is a real possibility.

“As (players) become more and more skilled and more in the public eye, this is a real threat to them and not simply in soccer but (in other sports).”

This alleged incident is the latest in a string of integrity issues across the sport.

There is no suggestion any Gold Coast United players are in any way involved in illegal activity.

Gold Coast businessman Clive Palmer financially supported the club’s entry into the A-League in 2009 but its license was revoked in 2012.

Originally published as Queensland Police probe betting allegations after Gold Coast United game canned