Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) charged five former Pegasus players with bribery and fraud over match fixing. The incident was first reported at the beginning of the 2016/17 season, and since then the players have been suspended from the club. On June 28th the ICAC concluded their investigation.
Kwok Kin-pong (30), Michael Cheng Lai-hin (31), Lee Wai-lim (36), Chan Pak-hang (24) and Lee Ka-ho (24) are facing a total of seven charges, including conspiracy to defraud, offering an advantage to an agent, and agent accepting an advantage.
The defendants will appear in the West Kowloon Magistracy on Friday (June 30) for transfer of the case to the District Court for plea.
The incident dates back to the 2015/2016 season and took place in the Reserve Division.
At that time, all were registered with Pegasus, while Lee Wai-lim was also a coach of the reserve team.
One of the charges alleges Kwok and Cheng conspired together and with other unknown persons to defraud Pegasus and the HKFA by attempting to contrive the result of the football match between Pegasus Reserves and Yuen Long Reserves on February 24, 2016. A few days later Cheng allegedly offered $10,000 to one player as a reward for fixing the result of the above football match.
On another occasion, Cheng, Lee Wai-lim, Chan and Lee Ka-ho conspired with a then football player of Rangers to manipulate the result of another football match between Pegasus Reserves and Rangers Reserves on March 23, 2016. This time it was Chan who allegedly offered a reward. In addition, Lee Wai-lim and Lee Ka-ho are said to have accepted each $20,000 in bribes.
Another match fixing attempt was made on April 13, 2016, when Pegasus Reserves and Rangers Reserves played again.
The HKFA and Pegasus have rendered full assistance to the ICAC in its investigation.
The defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearance on Friday.
