Two Whitehawk footballers charged in match-fixing probe

Two Whitehawk footballers have been charged with match-fixing.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, and both from the Croydon area, in south London, were charged with conspiring to defraud contrary to common law.

The pair, who joined the Conference South side in the summer, have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court next Wednesday (11 December).

The have also been suspended by the East Brighton club.

Two other men, Krishna Ganeshan, from Hastings, and Chann Sankaran, from Singapore, have also been charged and three others have been arrested.

The arrests and charges follow an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

The agency said: “The Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Crime Division found sufficient evidence and was satisfied it was in the public interest to authorise charges.

“They are the third and fourth people charged to date in connection with the NCA investigation into an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

“Chann Sankaran and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan were charged on (Thursday) 28 November and are currently remanded in custody.”

The agency said that its investigation was continuing.

Adelakun, a former Crystal Palace youth team player who also played for Lewes, is charged with: “Conspiracy to defraud, contrary to common law. Between (Friday) 1 November and (Tuesday) 26 November at city of Manchester and elsewhere conspired together with Krishna Ganeshan, Chann Sankaran and others to defraud bookmakers by influencing the course of football matches and placing bets thereon.”

Boateng, also a former Palace youth team player, is charged with: “Conspiracy to defraud, contrary to common law. Between (Friday) 1 November and (Tuesday) 26 November at City of Manchester and elsewhere conspired together with Krishna Ganeshan, Chann Sankaran, Hakeem Adelakun and others to defraud bookmakers by influencing the course of football matches and placing bets thereon.”

The agency added: “Hakeem Adelakun is not to be confused with another player with a similar name spelling at a separate football club.”