Magpies Crusaders United coach quits after player allegedly admits to banned betting in QPL

The head coach of a semi-professional football club has resigned amid allegations of banned betting involving a player.

Brian Murphy's resignation leaves the Queensland Premier League's (QPL) Magpies Crusaders United without a coach for the foreseeable future.

«This shouldn't have happened on my watch and I feel very guilty about it,» Mr Murphy said.

«Once I found out about it, I acted upon it.

»It's a shame this has happened to such a good club."

Mr Murphy said he felt he had no option but to resign to safeguard his integrity and reputation, as well as the club's.

Mr Murphy said he became aware of the allegations during a recent away trip for a QPL round.

«The player said to me, 'I've been helping my family out in placing bets on our games or the league,'» Mr Murphy said.

«I said, 'Mate you can't do that, I'm going to have to do something about this.'

»When I spoke to the person in question they openly admitted to me … I was a bit shocked."

All Australian states and territories have specific offences related to match-fixing and the federal government has created a National Integrity of Sport Unit.

Under Queensland legislation match-fixing also covers contingency betting, which relates to events within a game.

A person found guilty of match-fixing can face a jail term of up to 10 years.

Mr Murphy said he fully supported a thorough investigation.

«I think players or a player have made bets, I'm not sure how many are involved, but it needs to be investigated.

»If the bet is on us to win, it's serious, but not as serious as if the bet was on us to lose."

The Crusaders have lost two of their three games in the QPL after being relegated from the National Premier League and posting major wins in the preseason.

In a statement, Magpies Crusaders