Latest news with #SportingIntegrity
Daily Mail
6 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.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
A-League soccer player among those charged as Victoria Police allege betting corruption
An A-League soccer player is among two men charged by police following an investigation into alleged cheating on bets involving the game. 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 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 July 31. A statement from club Western United, which is based in the Melbourne suburb of Tarneit, acknowledged one of its mens' 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."
