Football club boss, 3 others charged in Hong Kong match-fixing case
Four suspects allegedly involved in a syndicate linked to football match-fixing and illegal gambling, anti-corruption agency says
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has charged four people including a football club owner for allegedly offering bribes to fix match results in the 2021-22 season.
They included an alleged illegal bookmaker, Yao Xiaocong, 40, and Fu Moon Athletic Association owner and coach Lo Hong-ming, 30. Lo also played as a defender in matches.
The other two were Fu Moon midfielder So Chun-yin, 32, and Wong Him-chun, also 32, an illegal betting agent and former player.
The four face two charges – one of conspiracy to offer advantage to agents under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and the Crimes Ordinance, and one of conspiracy to defraud under the common law.
The ICAC said in the 2021-22 season between April 2021 and August 2022, Fu Moon competed in the Hong Kong Second Division under the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA).
It said the HKFA required all registered players to comply with its code of ethics, including barring them from taking part in illegal activities such as illegal betting, bribery and match-fixing.