Hong Kong football clubs acknowledge arrests linked to illegal betting, match-fixing

Two of the 19 people reportedly arrested this week as part of a major crackdown on an illegal bookmaking ring in Hong Kong have been identified as prominent football coaches in the city.

Lo Kwan-yee, head coach of local first division champions Supreme, and Poon Man-chun, coach of the under-18 and under-22 teams at local Premier League champions Kitchee and father of Hong Kong international Max Poon Pui-hin, were said to be among those linked to a group involved in match-fixing and handling illicit bets.

On Friday, principal investigator Bill Ng Siu-kei of the Independent Commission Against Corruption said the agency and police had broken up a local syndicate run by individuals within football. The investigation involved personnel from at least five clubs.

Eight suspects were arrested for match-fixing, 10 for illegal betting, and one 24-year-old footballer for both offences. Officials said the group had placed illegal bets on local and overseas matches, including games in the World Cup, as well as professional and amateur fixtures.

In an official statement, Supreme, who have not publicly named anyone caught up in the arrests, said the team had given their “utmost effort in every match” over the course of the past three seasons.

“Our results speak for themselves, and we hope that all parties will refrain from questioning the team’s attitude and dedication,” the statement said. “Supreme has always firmly believed in and upheld the spirit of fair competition in sports.