Head coach, football player among three granted bail for match-fixing and illegal gambling

Three men, including a head coach and a player of two local football clubs, have been brought to court on Thursday morning over an alleged match-fixing scandal. They were not required to enter a plea and were granted bail for further investigation.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption said on Wednesday that it had laid a holding charge of conspiracy to bet with a bookmaker on two betting agents.

The two include Chiu Chung-man, 54, head coach of Hong Kong Rangers Football Club in the Hong Kong Premier League at the time of the alleged offense, and Ho Sze-hon, 45. 

Meanwhile Liang Ngai-tung, 19, a defender with Sham Shui Po Sports Association, was slapped with a holding charge of betting with a bookmaker.

They were not required to enter plea at Eastern Magistrates' Courts this morning with their case adjourned to October 28 for the ICAC to further investigate. They were released on bail.

In the 2023/24 football season, Biu Chun Rangers, SSPSA, Eastern Sports Club Football Team (Eastern FC) and HK U23 Football Team (HKU23) competed in the Hong Kong Premier League. Betting on local matches is strictly prohibited.

Chiu and Ho allegedly conspired to place bets with a bookmaker on December 30, 2023 in the JC Sapling Cup match held between SSPSA and HKU23.

It is also alleged that between May 30 and June 5 this year, Liang placed numerous bets with a bookmaker through a mobile application, including placing bets in the Football Association Cup match held between SSPSA and Eastern FC on June 1, 2024.