 | Team News |  | Player Profiles | | Fixtures | | Betting | | Mobile |  |
Australia News
Latest News / Squad / Team Profile / Player Profiles / Betting / Results
Socceroos betting probe
18/06/2006: FIFA will have to decide whether any disciplinary action will be taken against the Australian squad members who admitted betting on the which player would be the first goalscorer in their opening World Cup 2006 game against Japan.
Every player involved in the tournament had to sign a pledge promising to abstain from all betting activity while they still remained in the competition.
FIFA's disciplinary committee must now decide whether to take appropriate action against the players or just warn them of their future conduct.
The activity came to light when Tim Cahill, who scored two goals in the Japan game, revealed some of his team-mates had won money by predicting he would score Australia first-ever World Cup goal.
A FIFA official told the News of the World: "I can confirm that the declaration set out by FIFA and signed by all players and staff of each of the 32 nations clearly states that no is allowed for the members of the delegations.
"This includes internal betting within the players of any team, which is also strictly not allowed.
"The committee has made it very clear that no betting in any form should be taking place and they will investigate any case thoroughly."
Ghana provided the first real shock of World Cup 2006 beating the Czech Republic 2-0 through goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari throwing Group E wide open and leaving both sides on three points.
The group was blown more wide open when Italy could only manage a draw against the United States. An Alberto Gilardino goal was cancelled out by a Christian Zaccardo own-goal in a game which saw three dismissals as Italy's Daniele De Rossi and the United State's Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope all saw red.
Italian Coach Marcello Lippi was full of praise for the Americans after the game.
"They were very organised, went out really motivated, determined to get a result," he said.
"They showed a lot of quality and heart tonight."
Italy now need at least a draw against the Czech Republic in their last Group clash if they wish to advance through to the second phase.
"This result leaves everything up in the air," admitted Lippi.
"But it's not a negative result.
"I am happy that today our World Cup starts because this is a wake-up call for us. From now on is simply a case of being in or out."
World Cup Mobile
 Real Tones | ||
| 1 | We Are The Champions  |  |
| 2 | Smack That | |
| 3 | Chasing Cars | |
| 4 | Ruby | |
| 5 | Theme | |
| 6 | Spider Pig Song | |
| Polyphonic | ||
| 7 | Ring Of Fire | |
| 8 | Sexyback |  |
| 9 | The Great Escape | |
| 10 | Mission Impossible | |
| 11 | James Bond | |
| 12 | Exorcist Theme (Tubular Bells) | |
| 13 | Benny Hill | |
| 14 | Monster | |
| Sound Effects | ||
| 15 | Mosquito | |
| Games | ||
| 16 | FIFA World Cup(TM) | |
| 17 | Soccer Pinball | |
Comments on: Socceroos betting probe
Write your own comment:Latest Australia News
Ronaldo assured of Aussie start (14/06/2006)
Cahill takes plaudits (14/06/2006)
Aussies ponder changes (15/06/2006)
Parreira eyes Ronaldo improvement (16/06/2006)
Brazil v Australia (18/06/2006)