Footballers to receive lifetime ban if match-fixing claim confirmed, says HKFA chief

President of the Hong Kong Football Association, Pui Kwan-kay, said on Thursday that footballers and coaches confirmed to be involved in taking bribes for match-fixing will receive a lifetime ban from the game.

His comments came as 12 footballers, coaches and betting agents have been arrested by the Independent Commission Against Corruption on suspicion of bribery, match-fixing and illegal gambling.

Speaking on a radio program this morning, the HKFA chief said should the men be found guilty of violating the anti-graft laws, they will be banned for life from taking part in football games or team management.

He believes the penalties have a sufficient deterrent effect, with this case being an isolated incident.

Pui also noted that such events would create a negative impression on Hong Kong football, possibly impacting investors' and sponsors’ willingness to continue investing in the game.

According to ICAC, the 12 men - aged 24 to 54 - included a head coach and two players of a football club competing in the Hong Kong Premier League.

It is understood that the team involved is Crownity North District Football Club, which finished eighth among 11 teams after promotion to the city's top-tier league this season.

Among the arrested are the club's head coach Leung Chi-wing, first-choice goalkeeper Lam Chun-kit, 26, and veteran midfielder So Kai-tsun, 30, sources said.

A third player was arrested from St Joseph's Football Club, which played in the third-tiered Second Division Football League before being relegated to the lowest Third Division Football League this season.

Also arrested were a coach and four players of a football club competing in the second division.

The remaining three included illegal betting agents who are also a head coach and players of three other local football clubs.

Sources said one of them was Premier League club Rangers' head coach Ryan Chiu Chung-man, and a player currently playing for the Premier League club Sham Shui Po Sports Association.

All footballers involved are locals, the corruption watchdog said.

All the arrested have been released on ICAC bail.

Read more: 'Dirty dozen'