A-League match-fixing bans: Four players handed multi-year penalties
Four A-League players have been banned for several years after admitting involvement in a match-fixing scheme tied to bookings and betting, signaling a tough stance on integrity.
Four players in Australia’s A-League have been banned for several years after admitting involvement in a match-fixing scheme tied to bookings and betting.
Australian football authorities say the case involved payments to secure bookings that could influence match results. Here is what happened and the penalties handed down.
Sanctions handed down
Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis were paid £4,940 each to ensure they received a caution in a December 2023 clash between Macarthur FC and Sydney FC. Football Australia has now issued five-year bans, effective from May 2024, following a prior two-year conditional release order. They also completed 200 hours of unpaid football-related community service, which could reduce the bans by one year if fulfilled.
Riku Danzaki and Yuta Hirayama receive seven-year suspensions starting from June 2025. Danzaki admitted in August to deliberately earning yellow cards in several A-League games, with about £7,900 received from wagers placed by Hirayama, an amateur player from Japan. Neither player plans to appeal the decision.
Expert perspective
Sports governance analysts say the penalties reflect a tougher stance against corruption and are designed to deter others from similar conduct. The case underscores the ongoing effort to protect the integrity of domestic football.
Summary
In this case, four players faced lengthy suspensions after admitting involvement in fixing match outcomes through bookings and betting ties. The sanctions involve five-year bans for two players and seven-year bans for the other two, with partial penalties possible through community service. The ruling highlights Football Australia’s commitment to upholding fair play in the A-League.
Key takeaway: Strong, consistent sanctions are vital for safeguarding the integrity of domestic football. Source: BBC Sport
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