The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday said it arrested 12 people, including footballers and coaches, for alleged match-fixing.

The anti-graft body said the head coach, a midfielder and a goalkeeper of a football team in the Hong Kong Premier League were arrested.

Also taken into custody were a coach and five players from two teams in the third-tier Second Division. Three betting agents were arrested as well.

The ICAC did not name the suspects or their clubs, citing an ongoing investigation.

The alleged offences took place over three seasons, beginning with the 2021 campaign, authorities said.

Matthew Chang, a principal investigator with the ICAC, said the coaches allegedly communicated with players with signals during the matches.

“They would give some secret signals during the match if they can recruit some players in the same team, like moving their head or using their body language, gestures, to show that at which specific times the involved players have to do something, like to keep going to score or just stop to defend,” he said.

The ICAC said each player could get up to tens of thousands of dollars for each match fixed.

It is also believed that some of those arrested placed bets in illegal gambling for gains, with the amount of bets topping HK$1 million in one season.

The ICAC said the suspects have been released on bail.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China said it will fully assist the ICAC in the investigation, stressing that it has "zero tolerance" towards football corruption.

In a statement, the association said if the allegations are proven true, it will severely punish the clubs, players and coaches involved by revoking their memberships and imposing lifetime suspensions.

The Hong Kong Premier League expressed regret over the incident, adding that it will work with the football association to create a fair and clean football industry.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said it will not tolerate illegal acts. The bureau said it will urge the local football association to work with ICAC and improve the anti-corruption awareness of football clubs.
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Last updated: 2024-05-29 HKT 21:54