简体中文
Hong Kong anti-corruption body ICAC announced on Tuesday that nine persons, including professional football players, were arrested for alleged bribery in rigging the results of football matches involving a local football club.
Arrested in an operation which commenced on Sunday were six football players and an executive officer of the football club, a representative of the sponsor for the club, together with their corrupt associate.
The ICAC investigation arose from corruption complaints alleging some players of the football club of match-fixing in the First Division League and Canbo Senior Shield competitions organised by the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA).
Enquiries revealed that the sponsor's representative and the executive officer might have offered advantages to the players of the football club as rewards for their participation in rigging football match results.
During the operation, a number of other persons, including players and staff members of the football club, were interviewed by the ICAC.
The spokesperson stresses that the ICAC, in partnership with members of the public, in particular the stakeholders, is determined to ensure football competitions free from corrupt influence, and encourages them to make reports on suspected bribery involving football-rigging activities.
The HKFA and the local football club have rendered full cooperation in the ICAC investigation.Enquiries are continuing.
