A-League
Football Australia Under Scrutiny as Second Match-Fixing Scandal Hits A-League
MELBOURNE, Australia — Football Australia is facing a comprehensive integrity review by Victoria’s gambling regulator following explosive revelations of a second match-fixing scandal involving A-League players allegedly manipulating yellow cards for betting gains.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) confirmed Wednesday it would conduct a “suitability review” of Football Australia’s integrity framework during the 2025-26 financial year. The probe comes just days after Western United midfielder Riku Danzaki was charged with 10 counts of match-fixing related to deliberate yellow card offenses during April and May matches.
Timeline of Controversy
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May 2024: NSW Police charge Macarthur FC trio Ulises Dávila, Kearyn Baccus, and Clayton Lewis in similar yellow card scheme
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April 2025: VGCCC notifies Football Australia of impending review
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June 2025: Danzaki becomes fourth A-League player charged in 12 months
“These repeated allegations are deeply concerning,” a VGCCC spokesperson stated. “The review will assess FA’s ability to ensure event integrity, including examination of permitted betting markets like yellow cards.”
Gambling’s Troubled Relationship with Football
Football Australia holds unique status as a “sports controlling body” under Victorian law, granting it:
✔ Authority to negotiate betting markets with bookmakers
✔ Power to earn revenue from soccer gambling
✔ Responsibility for maintaining match integrity
A 2023 Four Corners investigation revealed Football Australia permits betting on all levels of competition—from World Cup qualifiers to amateur suburban leagues—unlike the AFL and NRL which restrict wagering to top professional tiers.
Global Pattern of Spot-Fixing
University of Melbourne sports law expert Professor Jack Anderson notes yellow cards have become a global target:
“It’s the perfect crime—one player can discreetly trigger a booking at precise moments. We’re seeing this pattern from Australia to England’s Premier League.”
The reference to Lucas Paquetá looms large. The West Ham midfielder faces FA charges for allegedly receiving intentional yellow cards in a spot-fixing scheme—a case that could bring a lifetime ban.
Football Australia’s Response
In a statement, the governing body said:
“We welcome this review to strengthen our integrity frameworks. This challenge requires collaboration across sports, regulators, and government—the threat evolves daily as offenders grow more sophisticated.”
The organization emphasized its “continual vigilance” but acknowledged no system is foolproof against determined bad actors.
Key Questions for the Review
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Should betting on discrete events like yellow cards be prohibited?
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Is Football Australia’s revenue-sharing model with bookmakers creating conflicts?
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Why does Australia permit broader soccer betting markets than other major sports?