New South Wales police have arrested three Macarthur players, including captain Ulises Dávila and All Whites midfielder Clayton Lewis, after an investigation into alleged betting corruption.
The third player is Australian age group international Kearyn Baccus.
Police are also looking for a fourth player who is currently out of the state.
Main photo: Clayton Lewis … arrested by police investigating betting corruption.
The NSW Police Organised Crime Squad Gaming Unit has been investigating alleged manipulation of yellow cards during A-League games.
Australia’s ABC News reports the alleged offending took place during men’s A-League games involving Macarthur and played between November 24 and December 9, 2023.
Dávila received yellow cards against Melbourne Victory on November 24, and against Sydney on December 9.
Lewis and Baccus were booked in the game against Sydney.
Former Wellington Phoenix captain Dávila (33) joined Sydney club Macarthur in 2021 after two years in New Zealand. He recently signed a new contract with Macarthur, agreeing to play two more seasons for the club.
Lewis played at the Phoenix while Dávila was at the club, and he left to join Macarthur for the 2023-24 season.
Davila has been granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on June 24.
Lewis was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on June 27.
Baccus was granted conditional bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on May 30.
Police say Davila, a senior player at Macarthur, paid others $10,000 to manipulate the yellow cards in games.
NSW Police assistant commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said police would seek the extradition of a fourth player if he didn’t return to New South Wales.
In a media briefing, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux from the Organised Crime Squad said police would allege a senior player from Macarthur was in communication with a South American person overseas.
The player then recruited teammates “to ensure other acts or incidents occurred within specific games allowing the illegal gambling of those incidents or events that occurred within the game.”
Superintendent Faux said he wanted to make it clear there was no evidence or indication that any other A-League club was involved.
He said the investigation followed “suspicious betting activity offshore” and hundreds of thousands of dollars was paid out in bets on one of the games in the allegations.
“I want to make clear that we haven’t identified any betting actually within Australia at this stage,” Superintendent Faux said.
Macarthur released a statement saying: “The club is shocked and aware of the arrests of three A-League players by NSW Police as a result of international law enforcement coordination focused on betting corruption related to alleged yellow card manipulation in games.
“Integrity of our game is a foundation pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter.
“The club will make further comment if and when is required.”
Detectives in the case are working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Crime Commission.
The Australian Professional Leagues released a statement saying: “The APL is aware of the arrests of three A-League players by NSW Police as a result of international law enforcement coordination focussed on betting corruption related to alleged yellow card manipulation in games.
“The work to protect the integrity of our game must be unwavering, and we are liaising closely with all relevant agencies on this matter. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation and police inquiries we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Newshub coverage
New Zealand’s Newshub covered the story in their Friday evening bulletin. Here’s their story:
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