Three players from A-League club Macarthur FC were arrested on Friday and charged with betting-related corruption by manipulating yellow cards in a scandal that rocked the top flight of Australian football.

Police allege a senior player for the southwest Sydney club was taking direction from an organised crime figure in South America to ensure yellow cards were issued in at least four A-League matches in exchange for profit.

The alleged manipulation occurred in games on Nov. 24, 2023 and Dec. 9, 2023, with failed attempts occurring in recent matches in April and May.

The players, who police did not identify, were charged with engaging in "conduct that corrupts betting outcome of an event" and participating in a criminal group.

The senior player, aged 33, was also charged with facilitating conduct that corrupts betting outcome of an event.

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A fourth player from the club is also expected to be charged with betting-related corruption when tracked down by police.

Macarthur FC, which played A-League matches on all of the dates of the alleged manipulation, said it was "shocked and aware" of the arrests.

"Integrity of our game is a foundation pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter," the club said in a statement.

Match-fixing has previously hit Australian soccer but Friday's charges, coming a day before the second leg of the A-League semi-finals, mark the first time the nation's top flight has been impacted.

Multiple British players for a lower league Melbourne club were given life bans from soccer in 2014 for their involvement in an illegal betting ring.

<h2>REPUTATION DAMAGED</h2>

Police said they would allege the senior player had paid junior team mates up to A$10,000 ($6,700) to intentionally commit offences that would attract yellow cards.

"Whilst A$10,000 may seem like a lot of money to a young sports person, we will advise that is incredibly insignificant when you consider the damage .... to this young person's reputation, damage to their club and their code's reputation," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Fitzgerald told reporters on Friday.

Police were assisted by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and last December set up a team to investigate suspicious betting activity in overseas markets, predominantly in South America.

"In relation to one of the matches, there's multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars been paid out," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said.

The arrests were made on Friday out of concerns the players might be set to leave the country given Macarthur's season was over after they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

Faux said police had no evidence players from other A-League teams had engaged in betting corruption, but they were continuing investigations.

Australian Professional Leagues, the A-League's governing body, and the sport's national federation, Football Australia, said they were cooperating with authorities.

The corruption charges are the latest blow to the A-League's brand, which has been damaged by financial problems and fan unrest in recent years.

Three players from A-League club Macarthur FC were arrested on Friday and charged with betting-related corruption by manipulating yellow cards in a scandal that rocked the top flight of Australian football.

Three players from A-League club Macarthur FC were arrested on Friday and charged with betting-related corruption by manipulating yellow cards in a scandal that rocked the top flight of Australian football. Police allege a senior player for the southwest Sydney club was taking direction from an organised crime figure in South America to ensure yellow cards were issued in at least four A-League matches in exchange for profit. The alleged manipulation occurred in games on Nov. 24, 2023 and Dec. 9, 2023, with failed attempts occurring in recent matches in April and May. The players, who police did not identify, were charged with engaging in "conduct that corrupts betting outcome of an event" and participating in a criminal group. The senior player, aged 33, was also charged with facilitating conduct that corrupts betting outcome of an event. ALSO READ: Star World Cup winner makes shocking return as France name Euro 2024 squad A fourth player from the club is also expected to be charged with betting-related corruption when tracked down by police. Macarthur FC, which played A-League matches on all of the dates of the alleged manipulation, said it was "shocked and aware" of the arrests. "Integrity of our game is a foundation pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter," the club said in a statement. Match-fixing has previously hit Australian soccer but Friday's charges, coming a day before the second leg of the A-League semi-finals, mark the first time the nation's top flight has been impacted. Multiple British players for a lower league Melbourne club were given life bans from soccer in 2014 for their involvement in an illegal betting ring. REPUTATION DAMAGED Police said they would allege the senior player had paid junior team mates up to A$10,000 ($6,700) to intentionally commit offences that would attract yellow cards. "Whilst A$10,000 may seem like a lot of money to a young sports person, we will advise that is incredibly insignificant when you consider the damage .... to this young person's reputation, damage to their club and their code's reputation," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Fitzgerald told reporters on Friday. Police were assisted by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and last December set up a team to investigate suspicious betting activity in overseas markets, predominantly in South America. "In relation to one of the matches, there's multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars been paid out," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said. The arrests were made on Friday out of concerns the players might be set to leave the country given Macarthur's season was over after they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. Faux said police had no evidence players from other A-League teams had engaged in betting corruption, but they were continuing investigations. Australian Professional Leagues, the A-League's governing body, and the sport's national federation, Football Australia, said they were cooperating with authorities. The corruption charges are the latest blow to the A-League's brand, which has been damaged by financial problems and fan unrest in recent years.

Three A-League players arrested as betting scandal rocks Australian football

Barry Cable faces sexual assault charges:&nbsp;Australian Rules legend Barry Cable is grappling with child sexual abuse allegations. A Perth teenager accused Barry Cable of sexual abuse when he touched the peak of his career. Since then, the case has not been resolved because, until now, the District Court of Western Australia suppressed Barry Cable's identity.

The 79-year-old Australian football legend has denied the accusations. Moreover, the cops did not arrest him even once after the Perth teenager filed the allegations.&nbsp;

The woman, who remains anonymous, started the proceedings in 2019. She claimed that Barry Cable sexually assaulted her between 1968 and 1973. She was 12 years old in 1968. She has accused Barry Cable of psychiatric harm. The woman says she was subject to sexual harassment between 1974 and 1991.&nbsp;

However, Barry Cable's lawyers told the court that he was bankrupt. Thus, there were no funds if the judgement cost anything. In response, Australia's District Court Judge Mark Herron informed that Barry Cable won't participate in the upcoming five-day trial.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, February 7, Judge Herron lifted a series of suppression orders in the Barry Cable case. The civil trials will begin on Wednesday, February 8.

"In my view, the reasons and justification for making the orders anonymising the name of the defendant and suppressing the public reporting of the proceedings in a way which might tend to identify him, and the further order preventing a non-party from having access to court documents in the proceedings, are no longer relevant or necessary," Judge Herron said in a decision taken on Tuesday.

<h2>Barry Cable Family, Career &amp; Net Worth</h2>

Barry Cable has a wife named Helen. However, not much is known about her. From his marriage with Helen, he has two children. However, Barry Cable has not opened up much about his personal life and family.&nbsp;

Barry Cable, considered one of the greatest ever rovers, won two VFL premierships. He also has four WAFL titles in a 17-year career. Barry Cable took retirement in 1979.&nbsp;

Barry Cable has played 379 games across Perth and North Melbourne. He has a legendary status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.&nbsp;

Barry Cable faces sexual assault charges: Australian Rules legend Barry Cable is grappling with child sexual abuse allegations. A Perth teenager accused Barry Cable of sexual abuse when he touched the peak of his career.

Barry Cable faces sexual assault charges: Australian Rules legend Barry Cable is grappling with child sexual abuse allegations. A Perth teenager accused Barry Cable of sexual abuse when he touched the peak of his career. Since then, the case has not been resolved because, until now, the District Court of Western Australia suppressed Barry Cable's identity. The 79-year-old Australian football legend has denied the accusations. Moreover, the cops did not arrest him even once after the Perth teenager filed the allegations. The woman, who remains anonymous, started the proceedings in 2019. She claimed that Barry Cable sexually assaulted her between 1968 and 1973. She was 12 years old in 1968. She has accused Barry Cable of psychiatric harm. The woman says she was subject to sexual harassment between 1974 and 1991. However, Barry Cable's lawyers told the court that he was bankrupt. Thus, there were no funds if the judgement cost anything. In response, Australia's District Court Judge Mark Herron informed that Barry Cable won't participate in the upcoming five-day trial. On Tuesday, February 7, Judge Herron lifted a series of suppression orders in the Barry Cable case. The civil trials will begin on Wednesday, February 8. "In my view, the reasons and justification for making the orders anonymising the name of the defendant and suppressing the public reporting of the proceedings in a way which might tend to identify him, and the further order preventing a non-party from having access to court documents in the proceedings, are no longer relevant or necessary," Judge Herron said in a decision taken on Tuesday. Barry Cable Family, Career & Net Worth Barry Cable has a wife named Helen. However, not much is known about her. From his marriage with Helen, he has two children. However, Barry Cable has not opened up much about his personal life and family. Barry Cable, considered one of the greatest ever rovers, won two VFL premierships. He also has four WAFL titles in a 17-year career. Barry Cable took retirement in 1979. Barry Cable has played 379 games across Perth and North Melbourne. He has a legendary status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Australian Football legend Barry Cable sued over historical child sexual abuse claims

A promising Australian footballer has put his career on hold, abandoning a chance to play at the Tokyo Olympics in favour of pursuing his dream to make it as a rapper.

Winger Joe Champness is on a three-year deal with the Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League and has made several appearances for the national under-23 team, putting him in prime position to become an Olympian.

But the 22-year-old missed early pre-season preparations and the club has now given him permission to remain in Los Angeles, essentially on unpaid leave, to try and make it in the music business.

"We allowed Joey to head to the United States to pursue a dream in music at the start of last month," Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said in a statement this week.

"He's made inroads in the business and the opportunity to remain in LA to chase those dreams is one that's too big for him to pass up."

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The Club can confirm that Joey Champness is set to remain in the United States to pursue opportunities in music indefinitely, but an agreement is in place which could see him return to the Jets <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadeOfNewcastle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadeOfNewcastle</a> 
 
📰 <a href="https://t.co/VN1obYk6iV">https://t.co/VN1obYk6iV</a> <a href="https://t.co/CVekkNhMsc">pic.twitter.com/CVekkNhMsc</a>
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewcastleJetsFC/status/1161555069130682369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The club has agreed that should be return to football in the next three years, he will do so with the Jets.

Champness, who goes under the stage name JOWIC, signed a distribution deal with music industry label Creative Music Group in late July.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't convinced that there's something out there," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's not a normal situation, that's for sure.&nbsp;

"I've got a lot of love for the Newcastle Jets and a lot of respect for everyone on that team -– I'm contracted there for the next three years, so it's an honour to be given that sort of opportunity and trust from the club in that sense as well."

Regarded as one of Australia's most promising young players, Champness was part of the Olyroos under-23 team who are due to play a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics early next year.

A promising Australian footballer has put his career on hold, abandoning a chance to play at the Tokyo Olympics in favour of pursuing his dream to make it as a rapper.

A promising Australian footballer has put his career on hold, abandoning a chance to play at the Tokyo Olympics in favour of pursuing his dream to make it as a rapper. Winger Joe Champness is on a three-year deal with the Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League and has made several appearances for the national under-23 team, putting him in prime position to become an Olympian. But the 22-year-old missed early pre-season preparations and the club has now given him permission to remain in Los Angeles, essentially on unpaid leave, to try and make it in the music business. "We allowed Joey to head to the United States to pursue a dream in music at the start of last month," Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said in a statement this week. "He's made inroads in the business and the opportunity to remain in LA to chase those dreams is one that's too big for him to pass up." The Club can confirm that Joey Champness is set to remain in the United States to pursue opportunities in music indefinitely, but an agreement is in place which could see him return to the Jets #MadeOfNewcastle 📰 https://t.co/VN1obYk6iV pic.twitter.com/CVekkNhMsc — NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) August 14, 2019 × The club has agreed that should be return to football in the next three years, he will do so with the Jets. Champness, who goes under the stage name JOWIC, signed a distribution deal with music industry label Creative Music Group in late July. "I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't convinced that there's something out there," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's not a normal situation, that's for sure. "I've got a lot of love for the Newcastle Jets and a lot of respect for everyone on that team -– I'm contracted there for the next three years, so it's an honour to be given that sort of opportunity and trust from the club in that sense as well." Regarded as one of Australia's most promising young players, Champness was part of the Olyroos under-23 team who are due to play a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics early next year.

Football or rap? Australian footballer ditches Olympic dream for hip hop

Olympic sprint champion Usain&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners.

The 32-year-old Jamaican has been on trial with the Gosford-based club since August as he attempts to make an audacious switch to a second professional sport after one of the most decorated careers in track and field.

The Mariners on Monday were sticking to their line from last week that his "indefinite" trial continues as do negotiations between the club and&nbsp;Bolt.

Club manager Mike Mulvey said after the club's season-opening 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Sunday that he knew nothing about any contract, even if he admitted such matters would be well above his "pay grade".

The former Manchester United trainee has said in the past that he thinks it might be until next year that&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;was fit enough to make a proper call on, and questioned on Sunday whether he could displace any of the club's front three.

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Questions will always be asked about whether signing&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;was more about public relations than footballing prowess and, despite two goals in one pre-season friendly, it is fair to say that his performances for the Mariners have not been overly impressive.

Several former players and coaches, including former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou, have expressed doubts about whether the sprint champion could make the switch.

The public relations value of having&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;as a squad player might prove tempting to a smaller club, however, as Maltese outfit Valletta FC proved last week when they made the Jamaican an offer of a two-year contract that he turned down.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) have made it clear that the "marquee" money that has in the past helped Australian clubs lure the likes of Alessandro Del Piero to the A-League will not be available to sign&nbsp;Bolt.

That means any contract from the Mariners, whose average home crowd last season was just over 7,000, is unlikely to be highly lucrative with local media speculating it would be worth about A$150,000 ($106,560) a season.

According to Forbes,&nbsp;Bolt&nbsp;was earning upwards of $20 million a year mostly from endorsements before his retirement from athletics in 2017, however, and he has made it clear that his football dream is about a lot more than money.

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners.

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners. The 32-year-old Jamaican has been on trial with the Gosford-based club since August as he attempts to make an audacious switch to a second professional sport after one of the most decorated careers in track and field. The Mariners on Monday were sticking to their line from last week that his "indefinite" trial continues as do negotiations between the club and Bolt. Club manager Mike Mulvey said after the club's season-opening 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Sunday that he knew nothing about any contract, even if he admitted such matters would be well above his "pay grade". The former Manchester United trainee has said in the past that he thinks it might be until next year that Bolt was fit enough to make a proper call on, and questioned on Sunday whether he could displace any of the club's front three. × Questions will always be asked about whether signing Bolt was more about public relations than footballing prowess and, despite two goals in one pre-season friendly, it is fair to say that his performances for the Mariners have not been overly impressive. Several former players and coaches, including former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou, have expressed doubts about whether the sprint champion could make the switch. The public relations value of having Bolt as a squad player might prove tempting to a smaller club, however, as Maltese outfit Valletta FC proved last week when they made the Jamaican an offer of a two-year contract that he turned down. Football Federation Australia (FFA) have made it clear that the "marquee" money that has in the past helped Australian clubs lure the likes of Alessandro Del Piero to the A-League will not be available to sign Bolt. That means any contract from the Mariners, whose average home crowd last season was just over 7,000, is unlikely to be highly lucrative with local media speculating it would be worth about A$150,000 ($106,560) a season. According to Forbes, Bolt was earning upwards of $20 million a year mostly from endorsements before his retirement from athletics in 2017, however, and he has made it clear that his football dream is about a lot more than money.

Usain Bolt deal talk dominates first weekend of A-League

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Three A-League players arrested as betting scandal rocks Australian football

Australian Football legend Barry Cable sued over historical child sexual abuse claims

Football or rap? Australian footballer ditches Olympic dream for hip hop

Usain Bolt deal talk dominates first weekend of A-League