Ten people were arrested in Melbourne as part of an international match-fixing probe.
The Purana taskforce has been investigating $2 million in betting on Victorian Premier League (VPL) soccer fixture, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
Ten people have been arrested over the probe.
Players and staff from one club are embroiled in the investigation, a police statement said.
Many of players arrested are from the United Kingdom and were playing in the Victorian league in their off-season.
Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton said detecting, disrupting and deterring this kind of illegal activity was crucial to maintaining the integrity of sport in Australia.
"Further match fixing risks are imminent in Australia, partly because of localised overseas betting on Australian sporting events due to our favourable time zone," Mr Ashton said.
"It is vital that we continue gathering intelligence to take preventative action to make it difficult for organised crime to infiltrate our sporting codes.
"Our Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit plays an important role in this space and will continue to conduct high level intelligence investigations across a range of serious organised and emerging crime within the sporting and racing industries.
"It`s believed there has been estimated betting winnings in Australia and overseas of more than $2 million identified to date in connection with this particular operation.
"We will continue to work with the relevant sporting codes and the Australian Crime Commission to create an environment that is hostile to those seeking to engage in illegal activities involving our sporting codes."
The investigation started in August after nformation was received from Football Federation of Australia.
Those arrested could face match-fixing charges, which carry a penalty of up to 10 years in jail.
The arrests have shocked Australian soccer chiefs with Football Federation Victoria - the state`s governing body - holding urgent talks with Football Federation this afternoon to establish how the scandal could have occurred and what response to take.
A source said Victorian soccer chief were "absolutely shocked" by the news.
A tall man was escorted into St Kilda Rd Police station about 1pm today with a blue hooded top covering his face.
But police refused to say if the arrest was linked to the match fixing bust.
The State Government and soccer officials are expected to comment later.
Source: Herald Sun
BDST: 0934 HRS, SEP 15, 2013
RS/BSK
