In response to media enquiries, an ICAC spokesperson today (Thursday) confirmed that six persons, including five professional football players, were arrested for alleged bribery in fixing the results of football matches involving a local football club.

Arrested in an operation codenamed “Flower Field”, which commenced on Tuesday (October 4), were an assistant coach cum player, a former player and three serving players of the football club as well as a suspected bookmaker.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint alleging match-fixing in football matches of Hong Kong Reserve Division League (HKRDL) organised by the Hong Kong Football Association in the 2015-16 football season.

Enquiries revealed that the five arrested players might have conspired to accept bribes from other persons, including the suspected bookmaker, as rewards for their participation in rigging four HKRDL matches involving the football club. The alleged bribes were said to amount to over $90,000.

The arrested suspected bookmaker was also alleged to have taken illegal bets from bettors on those football matches.

During the operation, a number of other persons, including other players and staff members of the football club, were interviewed by the ICAC.

All the arrestees have been released on ICAC bail. Enquiries are continuing.