Tuesday September 17 2013
- An accused match-fixing Australian ringleader mentioned $150,000 during a phone call taped by police before a soccer game last week, a court has heard.
Investigators allege about 440 recorded calls by Segaran “Gerry” Gsubramaniam indicated his role in fixing linked to the Southern Stars.
Charges sheets show matches under scrutiny are the Stars’ games against Richmond last Friday and earlier Victorian Premier League clashes against Hume City, Green Gully, Pascoe Vale and Oakleigh.
Police yesterday told Melbourne Magistrates Court that Mr Gsubramaniam had admitted passing on instructions from a known international fixer to the Stars.
Mr Gsubramaniam, 45, allegedly passed on information from associates in Hungary and Malaysia.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Poynder said more than $200,000 had been transferred to Mr Gsubramaniam since July.
“On a worldwide scale he is not the bigwig; Australia-wise he is,” Senior Sergeant Poynder said.
It is believed police are investigating people overseas involved and extraditing them to Australia could be possible.
Senior Sergeant Poynder said several of the accused were professional players from the UK and Czech Republic, and all but one nominated Malaysian national Mr Gsubramaniam “as being the main man”.
One of his phone calls before Friday’s match against Richmond Football Club involved talk of $150,000, the court heard.
Police found three mobile phones, SIM cards and fund transfer records at his Oakleigh South premises.
Mr Gsubramaniam was charged with five counts of engaging in, and five counts of facilitating, conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome. Police opposed bail, saying he was a flight risk. The application was adjourned until Friday, when five other accused will appear.
Goalkeeper Joe Woolley, 23, a UK citizen residing in Preston, faces eight charges, as does Reiss Noel, 24, who also lives in Preston. Coach Zaya Younan, and two UK nationals – Nicholas McCoy and David Obaze – face eight charges.
- Emily Portelli & Carly Crawford
