Latest news with #ALeague
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Football: A-League under scrutiny as betting allegations surface
Football Australia has suspended the pair charged by police Photo: Photosport An A-League football player in Australia among two men charged by police following an investigation into alleged cheating on bets involving the game. Victorian Police allege four matches in April and May were the subject of what they have described as "player to be carded wagering manipulation". Detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit executed warrants in Richmond, West Melbourne and Kingsville early on Friday morning. Two men in their 20s have been charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome, and using corrupt conduct information for betting. The pair have been released on bail to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 31 July. A statement from club Western United, which is based in the Melbourne suburb of Tarneit, acknowledged one of its men's players had been charged "in relation to an alleged breach of sports betting guidelines". "We take this matter seriously, condemn any actions that compromise the integrity of the game, and are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities," the statement read. A Victoria Police spokesperson said the detectives had been working closely with governing body Football Australia as part of the investigation. A Football Australia spokesperson said the body had imposed "no fault" interim suspensions on the two individuals, to remain in place until further notice. Under the body's code of conduct and ethics, such suspensions may be issued in circumstances where constituents have been charged with a serious criminal offence or where Football Australia's reputation is at risk of being damaged. "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," the spokesperson said. "Football Australia is cooperating fully with external authorities." -ABC
Press and Journal
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Paul Third: Busy summer ahead for Aberdeen ahead of return to European football
Aberdeen fans are still basking in the warm afterglow of Scottish Cup glory but the Dons are wasting little time in building on their Hampden success. The celebrations have carried on all week as fans revel in one social media montage after another. There is little sign of cup fatigue settling, but then that should not come as a surprise given it has been 35 years since the trophy last resided proudly in the Granite City. But at Pittodrie, while manager Jimmy Thelin and his players take a break from training and matches, the work on strengthening the squad is never done. Nicolas Milanovic was already on board before the Dons reached Hampden for the final against Celtic. But in the days which have followed the club's glorious win, there is a real sense of excitement about what the winger is going to bring to the club. Since signing for Aberdeen the 23-year-old has been elevated to the Australia national team and been crowned the A League player of the year after scoring 12 goals and contributing six assists in 23 games for Western Sydney Wanderers. If he can maintain that sort of return in the red shirt of Aberdeen then Milanovic is going to be a very exciting addition to Scottish football next season. Milanovic isn't the only only Aussie heading to the Dons, as Nick Suman will make the much shorter journey across the city from Cove Rangers when he joins up for pre-season training at the end of the month. Goalkeeper Suman was a standout performer for Paul Hartley's side in his two years at Balmoral Stadium, and it is no surprise to see him move to a Premiership club. His performances for Cove led to strong interest with Motherwell and Dundee United also interested in his services before Aberdeen won the race for the shot-stopper. So that's two in, and 12 out so far at Pittodrie since the season drew to a close. The number of new arrivals will increase further in the weeks ahead but it will not be a surprise if the departure list also expands beyond the current departing dozen announced last week. It is clear this is going to be a very busy transfer window for Aberdeen this summer. It has to be if the Dons are to juggle the demands of European football and domestic action next season. Scottish Cup glory has bought Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin valuable time in that regard with the Europa League play-off draw not taking place until August 4 while the ties will be played on August 21 and 28 respectively. But Aberdeen, and Hearts last season for that matter, have found the going really tough in handling those Thursday night challenges against Continental opposition then having to roll their sleeves up for the domestic grind. It's no coincidence both clubs failed to make the top six in the seasons where they've had extended runs in Europe. We will see how much has been learned from that experience at Pittodrie in the 2023-24 season. But we know this much – more depth, and quality, is absolutely vital. In Milanovic and Suman, Aberdeen are off to go a good start as both players possess those characteristics. But Aberdeen need more. Much more.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Aussie soccer stars hit with bombshell alleged corruption scandal
Two men, including a Western United footballer, will face court for their involvement in an alleged betting scandal surrounding the A-League men's soccer season. Detectives from the Victoria Police Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit charged a 24-year-old West Melbourne man and a 27-year-old Kingsville man on Sunday with numerous offences, including use of corrupt conduct for betting purposes. Both were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 31. While the individuals are yet to be publicly named, it is confirmed one is a player at Western United, which finished third in the A-League Men competition this season, while the other man is a state leagues player. 'The club is aware that one Western United player has been charged in relation to an alleged breach of sports betting guidelines,' a United club spokesperson said. 'We take this matter seriously, condemn any actions that compromise the integrity of the game, and are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities. 'Given the nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment any further on the matter.' Police allege four matches in April and May 2025 were the subject of 'player to be carded' wagering manipulation. The Australian Professional Leagues, who run the A-League competitions, confirmed a player had been charged. 'The Australian Professional Leagues is aware that one A-League player has been charged by Victorian Police with offences related to gambling,' a spokesperson 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.' In a statement, a Football Australia spokesperson said it took the integrity of the game extremely seriously and was fully cooperating with external authorities. '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 statement said.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
A-League rocked by betting scandal as Western United and state player charged over yellow card manipulation
A Western United player is among two footballers charged over the alleged manipulation yellow cards for betting purposes during several games this season. On Sunday, Victoria police charged two Melbourne men, aged 24 and 27, for numerous offences including the use of corrupt conduct for gambling purposes in four A-League matches during April and May. While the individuals are yet to be named, it is understood one of the men charged is a current player at Western United, while the other is a player in the state league. And on Sunday, the Australian Professional Leagues – the body in charge of the A-League competitions, confirmed a player had been charged. 'The Australian Professional League is aware that one A-League player has been charged by Victorian Police with offences related to gambling,' a spokesperson 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.' Both men were placed under no-fault interim suspensions by Football Australia following the charges. 'The club is aware that one Western United men's player has been charged about 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.' Police executed warrants on Friday morning after an investigation involving Football Australia and the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit. The man from West Melbourne was charged with 10 offences including 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. The man from Kingsville was charged with 16 offences, including 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. They were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on July 31.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Men's A-League player charged with betting scandal
Two men, including a Western United footballer, will face court for their involvement in an alleged betting scandal surrounding the A-League men's soccer season. Detectives from the Victoria Police Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit charged a 24-year-old West Melbourne man and a 27-year-old Kingsville man on Sunday with numerous offences, including use of corrupt conduct for betting purposes. Both were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 31. While the individuals are yet to be publicly named, it is confirmed one is a player at Western United, which finished third in the A-League Men competition this season, while the other man is a state leagues player. "The club is aware that one Western United player has been charged in relation to an alleged breach of sports betting guidelines," a United club spokesperson said. "We take this matter seriously, condemn any actions that compromise the integrity of the game, and are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities. "Given the nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment any further on the matter." Police allege four matches in April and May 2025 were the subject of 'player to be carded' wagering manipulation. The Australian Professional Leagues, who run the A-League competitions, confirmed a player had been charged. "The Australian Professional Leagues is aware that one A-League player has been charged by Victorian Police with offences related to gambling," a spokesperson 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." In a statement, a Football Australia spokesperson said it took the integrity of the game extremely seriously and was fully cooperating with external authorities. "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 statement said. The charges come a year after the former captain of Sydney club Macarthur FC was accused of paying two younger team mates up to $10,000 to deliberately receive yellow cards in a scheme allegedly masterminded by a South American connection. Celebrated team leader Ulises Davila and fellow players Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis have been charged over a betting fix police say led to hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid out in winnings.
