Advertisement

3 football players caught up in Hong Kong match-fixing probe charged over illegal gambling, bribery

  • Trio, betting agent allegedly conspired with others to ensure Happy Valley club lost certain number of matches between 2022 and 2023
  • Defender Brian Fok charged over attempting to bribe two teammates and working with others to rig games

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Hong Kong footballer Brian Fok secured bail pending trial on five bribery and illegal gambling charges. Photo: Brian Wong

Three footballers linked to Hong Kong’s biggest match-fixing scheme in recent years have appeared in court over charges of illegal gambling, with one being accused of offering bribes of HK$50,000 (US$6,400) to two players to rig games in the city’s top league.

Advertisement

The trio, together with a betting agent involved in the same case, on Thursday secured bail in their first appearance before a magistrate at Eastern Court, as prosecutors asked for a four-month period for further investigations.

Among the defendants is former Hong Kong Under-23 player Brian Fok. He was hit with five charges, including three over offering an advantage to an agent in violation of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Defendants appeared in Eastern Court on Thursday. Photo: Nora Tam
Defendants appeared in Eastern Court on Thursday. Photo: Nora Tam

The Nigerian-born defender, 29, allegedly attempted to bribe two of his then teammates at Hong Kong Football Club to ensure a predetermined outcome in games involving the team, which competed in the city’s Premier League during the 2021-22 season.

Brazilian midfielder Jean Maciel was reportedly offered a total of HK$40,000 on two occasions, while Scottish player Marcus McMillan was said to have received an offer of HK$10,000. Both declined the inducements.

After moving to first-division side Happy Valley Athletic Association the following season, Fok allegedly worked with fellow players Luciano Silva da Silva, 36, and To Chun-kiu 29, and betting agent Waheed Mohammad, 27, to rig an unspecified number of matches in the second-tier competition.

Advertisement

Brazilian Luciano was at the time a defender at first division club Central and Western District Recreation and Sports Association, while To played as a goalkeeper for Sham Shui Po Sports Association in the top-tier league.

Advertisement