HONG KONG — The high-profile case involving alleged match-fixing at the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) resumed in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, where former team member Marcus McMillan testified that a teammate offered him money to deliberately lose games, illuminating the internal pressures and financial vulnerabilities within professional football. McMillan, an expatriate player, detailed how fellow player Brian Fok Bun-yan allegedly sent him betting information and later proposed a scheme where the team would intentionally lose by a margin of four goals to Rangers for a promised payout of HK$10,000. This testimony forms a crucial element of the prosecution’s case against four defendants facing conspiracy charges.
During the hearing, McMillan recounted the sequence of events, stating that Fok first broached the idea of profiting from losses following a joint coaching session in October 2022. Several days later, on November 4, Fok allegedly shared screenshots related to wagering, responding “betting hahaha” when questioned about the messages, which initially focused on a separate fixture in Guangxi. The seriousness elevated when Fok proposed that losing the subsequent Sunday match to Standard Rangers by four goals would yield a HK$10,000 reward. McMillan asserted that upon realizing the proposition was genuine, he immediately refused and reported the incident to club management.
Under cross-examination, the defense counsel, Simon So, highlighted the challenging circumstances at HKFC, including the limited strength of the team, the fact that many players held second jobs, and the demanding training schedule. McMillan, who joined HKFC in September 2021 after relocating from Scotland in 2017, acknowledged that he only received a token salary of HK$1 per month and admitted the squad was weak, having previously lost to the club’s younger U23 side.
The defense also questioned McMillan’s motivations and conduct, suggesting he had expressed frustration following losses, including the defeat by the U23s in 2021. So also introduced speculation regarding the integrity of another player, suggesting captain To Chun-kiu may have underperformed in a separate loss, a rumor McMillan claimed not to recall. Crucially, the defense counsel suggested McMillan had a personal history of interest in and placement of bets. Following a reminder from the magistrate regarding his right to silence, McMillan declined to answer that specific line of questioning.
The charges target widespread betting manipulation, alleging that the defendants conspired to fix various outcomes, including manipulating own goals and corner counts, to profit from wagers on club fixtures.
Key Defendants Facing Charges
Four individuals face one count each of conspiracy to cheat in relation to betting:
- Brian Fok Bun-yan (29), former player
- Waheed Mohammad (27), unemployed
- Luciano Silva da Silva (36), footballer
- To Chun-kiu (29), footballer
Prosecutors allege that between August 18, 2022, and April 30, 2023, the defendants, in concert with others, conspired to cause Happy Valley to lose matches and manipulate in-game statistics for financial gain. Fok and co-defendants also face three counts of offering advantages to agents.
This case underscores the persistent global challenge of sports corruption, often fueled by the financial vulnerability of athletes in lower-tier professional leagues. The proceedings bring into sharp focus the ethical dilemmas faced by athletes when confronted with offers to compromise the integrity of the sport for quick financial reward, demanding rigorous oversight and clear reporting pathways within local football associations.