MELBOURNE: One man has been charged and five others arrested in an Australian police operation against an international tennis match-fixing syndicate.

Police from Victoria state said in a statement on Friday that detectives from the Purana organised crime task force arrested the men following an investigation into allegations that bets were placed on tennis matches played in both Australia and overseas “where the outcome was predetermined by at least one of the players involved.”

A police spokesman said the allegations do not relate to matches on the ATP World Tour or at the Australian Open.

Match-fixing, illegal betting concerns at Aussie Open

Australia’s Fairfax Media reported later on Friday that tennis players were understood to be among those taken into custody. The arrested men are all aged in their 20s, except for one aged 40.

A 27-year-old Melbourne man was charged with using corrupt-conduct information for betting purposes and drug offences. He was bailed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sept 25.

Police said the arrested men will be questioned about possible offences under Australia’s Crimes Amendment (Integrity In Sports) ACT. Under those laws, passed last year, courts can impose a sentence of up to 10-years jail for match-fixing.

Tennis Australia said it took the allegations seriously and was “committed to upholding the integrity of the sport.”

Spokeswoman Ann West said the organisation was co-operating fully with authorities.

Published in Dawn, July 19th , 2014