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.
Mr Murphy said he felt he had no option but to resign to safeguard his integrity and reputation, as well as the club's.
'You can't do that'
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.'
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.
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 United chair Barry Jansen said the club was unaware of any allegations prior to meeting with the head coach.
He said the club was taking the matter very seriously and had committed to cooperating fully with investigations by Football Queensland and Football Australia.
Coach to 're-evaluate'
Mr Murphy said he was devastated by the allegations.
"I always wanted to be seen as a coach who does the right thing and has values and has morals and protects the integrity of the game," he said.
"It's very important that I do the right thing, and my daughters and my wife see me do the right thing, because I am a role model to them and I'm trying to be a role model to everyone else.
"This isn't me trying to decimate a character … when a player openly admits something to me, that's something I have to report.
Mr Murphy said he would take time to reset and spend time with his family, who live in New Zealand.
"I think I've seen them once in four months and it's definitely been a strain on me," he said.
"I just need to go back, see my wife and kids and give them a hug and re-evaluate from there.
In a statement Football Australia confirmed its integrity unit was investigating the allegations.
Football Queensland said no sanctions had been issued against the club, which would continue to compete in both the Australia Cup and the QPL.
