Three A-League players have been charged and a fourth could be extradited following a NSW Police investigation into alleged “yellow card manipulation” in matches this season.
A six-month investigation found a senior player was allegedly instructed by a man believed to be in South America to “organise for yellow cards to occur during certain games in exchange for profit”.
It is alleged the players manipulated the number of yellow cards during games on November 24 and December 9.
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Police allege two more attempts were made to control the number of yellow cards, in games on April 20 and May 4, but failed.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are believed to have been paid out on bets placed overseas.
The three players were arrested at 6am on Friday with search warrants executed in South Coogee, Parramatta, West Hoxton and Emu Plains.
A 33-year-old has been charged with two counts of engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event, facilitate conduct that corrupts betting outcome of event, and participate in a criminal group.
The other two players, aged 27 and 32, are charged with engage in conduct that corrupts betting outcome of event, and participate in a criminal group.
All three have been granted conditional bail and are due to appear in court on separate dates over the next six weeks.
A fourth player under investigation is currently out of NSW, with police threatening to seek extradition if he does not return to the state.
None of the players have been identified by police.
Police will allege the 33-year-old recruited teammates and paid them up to $10,000 to intentionally receive yellow cards.
“We took action today because we were concerned that the principals involved in this matter would have left our shores in the coming days and weeks and that’s what brought us to take the action as quickly as we wished,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said.
Macarthur FC chief executive Sam Krslovic said the club was caught off-guard by the arrests but it would work with authorities.
“The club is shocked and aware of the arrests of three A-League players by NSW Police as a result of international law enforcement co-ordination focused on betting corruption related to alleged yellow card manipulation in games,” he said in a statement.
“Integrity of our game is a foundation pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter.”
Football Australia issued a statement on Friday morning.
“Football Australia is fully co-operating with the Organised Crime Squad, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sport Integrity Australia and the NSW Crime Commission in this matter,” FA said.
“Football Australia will provide no further comments at this stage as the investigation is ongoing.”
The Australian Professional Leagues said: “The work to protect the integrity of our game must be unwavering and we are liaising closely with all relevant agencies on this matter.”
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission played a role in the lengthy investigation.
The A-League is just eight days away from crowning a champion in the grand final due to take place on May 25.
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