Latest news with #Footballer
Daily Mail
5 days 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.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wildlife trust's call to protect hoverfly 'heroes'
A wildlife trust has called on gardeners to help protect and save hoverflies. The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said hoverflies are the second most significant pollinator after bees. They are also food for birds and help break down gardens' organic matter but intensive agriculture, pesticides and climate change have meant their population has declined, BBOWT and the RHS said. In 2022, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added hoverflies to its Red List of threatened species. "Hoverflies are a tiny but essential part of the natural world," Andy Coulson-Phillips, BBOWT's principal ecologist, said. "They are vital for pollinating both wildflowers and garden plants alike, so we'd love everyone across our three counties to invite them into their gardens or outside space." Stingless hoverflies are often mistaken for wasps, bees or hornets. Common species include Batman, Footballer and Marmalade, named after their distinctive markings and colours. Hoverflies have only one pair of flight wings but bees and wasps have two. They can be easily identified by their behaviour, rather than the way they look, because they hover or zigzag around plants. Vicki Hird, strategic agriculture lead for The Wildlife Trusts, said hoverflies are the "hidden heroes of our gardens and countryside". "Whatever their shape, size or disguise, they are critical for our food security," she added. The RHS's senior wildlife specialist, Helen Bostock, said the gardening charity wants people to "open their garden gates to hoverflies this summer". She said: "Gardeners can help attract them by planting open, easily accessible flowers. "In spring, they'll be drawn to aubretia. In summer, they'll love blackberry flowers, oxeye daisy, marigolds, fennel, cow parsley and poppies. Come autumn, they can be seen on heather, aster and even common ivy." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. City hopes to become 'pollinator capital' In pictures: High hopes for Cairngorms hoverflies Thousands of rare fly grubs released in Cairngorms Hopes for record breeding season of rare hoverfly Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) Royal Horticultural Society
BBC News
20-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
BBWOT and RHS call for help to save threatened hoverflies
A wildlife trust has called on gardeners to help protect and save Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said hoverflies are the second most significant pollinator after are also food for birds and help break down gardens' organic matter but intensive agriculture, pesticides and climate change have meant their population has declined, BBOWT and the RHS 2022, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added hoverflies to its Red List of threatened species. "Hoverflies are a tiny but essential part of the natural world," Andy Coulson-Phillips, BBOWT's principal ecologist, said."They are vital for pollinating both wildflowers and garden plants alike, so we'd love everyone across our three counties to invite them into their gardens or outside space."Stingless hoverflies are often mistaken for wasps, bees or hornets. Common species include Batman, Footballer and Marmalade, named after their distinctive markings and colours. Hoverflies have only one pair of flight wings but bees and wasps have can be easily identified by their behaviour, rather than the way they look, because they hover or zigzag around plants. "We'd like people to open their garden gates to hoverflies this summer. Gardeners can help attract them by planting open, easily accessible flowers," Helen Bostock, the RHS's senior wildlife specialist, said."In spring, they'll be drawn to aubretia. In summer, they'll love blackberry flowers, oxeye daisy, marigolds, fennel, cow parsley and poppies. Come autumn, they can be seen on heather, aster and even common ivy." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
