By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Dandenong Thunder soccer club has denied wrongdoing after being embroiled in a police investigation into match fixing.
In a statement to members on 26 February, the club asserted it had “no knowledge or involvement” in the matter.
“Dandenong Thunder is a passionate family club, proud of its on and off-field pursuits to be an integral part of the fabric of its community.”
“The club adheres to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and has no knowledge or involvement in this matter.”
Police had charged two men over alleged match fixing and betting on a National Premier League division 2 soccer clash between Thunder and Melbourne City U-20s.
The match in question at La Trobe University, Bundoora on 19 August 2017 ended in a 2-2 draw.
Thunder had scored the first two goals in the opening 12 minutes.
Victoria Police’s sporting integrity intelligence unit and Purana Taskforce as well as Queensland police had investigated the matter for 18 months.
Thunder spokesman Gary Rowe said the allegations had come as a “total shock to us”.
“We don’t even know who has been charged.”
He noted the club’s “totally new” administration as of 2018 was not in charge during the match in question.
Thunder had completely co-operated with the police investigation, Mr Rowe said.
Police say a 54-year-old Essendon North man was charged on summons with conduct or facilitating conduct to corrupt a betting outcome.
He is to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 29 March.
A 52-year-old Gold Coast man was charged by Queensland Police with facilitating match-fixing.
He will appear at Southport Magistrates’ Court on 29 March.
Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop said the FFA had been notified of the arrest overnight.
“The preservation of the integrity of football is paramount and FFA will take all necessary steps to cooperate with authorities to this end,” Mr Gallop said.
