A-League player charged as part of sporting integrity investigation into matches
By Roy Ward
Victoria Police have charged two soccer players, including one A-League player from Western United, for breaching betting rules by allegedly manipulating yellow cards in Australia’s top-tier soccer competition.
Police have charged a 24-year-old West Melbourne man and a 27-year-old Kingsville man with several offences in four A-League matches during April and May. The offences can attract a maximum penalty of 10 years jail but only in the most serious cases. Players can also face long bans from their sport.
Melbourne Victory fans before the A-League grand final on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
Football Australia placed “no-fault interim suspensions” on the two players following the charges. One player is from the A-League and one plays in a state league.
Western United confirmed in a statement that the A-League player charged came from that club.
“The club is aware that one Western United men’s player has been charged in relation to an alleged breach of sports betting guidelines,” the club said in a statement.
“We take this matter seriously, condemn any actions that compromise the integrity of the game, and are co-operating fully with all relevant authorities. Given the nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment any further on the matter.”
The club declined to name the player.
Manipulating yellow cards occurs when a player agrees to attract a yellow card at a certain point of the game to match with a corresponding bet. Some gambling companies offer bets on whether a particular player will get a yellow card. More exotic bets offered by some overseas bookmakers narrow this down to a specific time in the game.
In soccer, referees give players yellow cards for misconduct, abuse, simulation [diving], bad tackles that aren’t serious enough for a red card, and repeated fouls. One yellow card means the player stays on the pitch. Two yellow cards mean they are sent off.
Police said detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit worked closely with Football Australia during its investigation.
Police executed warrants in Richmond, West Melbourne and Kingsville at 6.20am on Friday, arresting and interviewing the two men.
The West Melbourne man was charged with 10 offences, comprising four counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome, four counts of facilitating conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome, use of information derived from corrupt conduct for betting purposes, and attempting to commit an indictable offence.
Police in Swan Street, Richmond as A-League fans set off flares before the final on Saturday.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
The Kingsville man was charged with 16 offences, comprising 11 counts of using information for betting purposes, four counts facilitating conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome, and attempting to commit an indictable offence.
The two men were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 31.
Football Australia said the two men were suspended until further notice.
The A-League men’s season finished on Saturday night when Melbourne City beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 in the grand final.
“Football Australia takes the integrity of football extremely seriously, and behaviour that seeks to undermine that has no place in our sport or in society. Football Australia is cooperating fully with external authorities,” Football Australia said in a statement.
“Football Australia has taken swift action today to impose ‘no-fault interim suspensions’ to the two individuals charged, and those suspensions will remain in place until further notice.”
The Australian Professional Leagues, which runs the A-League, said it wouldn’t compromise on integrity.
“The Australian Professional Leagues is aware that one A-League player has been charged by Victoria Police with offences related to gambling,” the APL said.
“The integrity of our sport is something that has to be protected without compromise, and we are engaging with all relevant authorities to assist with this matter.
“Given the ongoing nature of the matter, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
In most games, several players receive yellow cards, and a manipulated card can be disguised as a legitimate action such as mistiming a tackle, pulling on an opponent’s jersey or arguing too vigorously with the referee.
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