Macarthur FC CEO Sam Krslovic discusses the match-fixing saga, and unexpected financial blow, which rocked the club

The dust has settled on the match-fixing scandal which rocked the A-Leagues and the club most affected, Macarthur FC, have moved on. But the unexpected financial burden is ongoing.

The controversy surrounding a bet-fixing scandal that rocked the A-Leagues left Macarthur FC boss Sam Krslovic “extremely disappointed” but the CEO says the club has moved on quickly and has high hopes for the season ahead.

The matter, still before the courts, was discovered by NSW Police in June.

Their investigation led police to charge Macarthur FC captain Ulises Davila, Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis with multiple counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts betting outcomes of an event and facilitating the conduct that corrupts a betting outcome.

It is alleged the players manipulated matches to ensure yellow cards were given out at certain points in a game as part of an international based betting scandal.

There was never any allegation that Macathur FC were aware of the alleged actions of these three players.

Former Macarthur player Clayton Lewis arrives at the Downing Centre District Court. Picture: Newswire

Krslovic said he found out about the incident when NSW Police called him the morning of the arrests.

While acknowledging the matter was still before the courts he said he was “extremely disappointed and shocked” when he heard the news.

Davila and Baccus were both key members of the club, which joined the A-Leagues for the 2020/21 season. Lewis, a New Zealand national team player, had been a new signing for the 2023/24 season but was expected to stay at the club for several seasons.

Krslovic said the larger playing group had the same reaction as him when told the news.

“As a group we accepted that ... and we moved on very quickly,” Krslovic said.

All three have since been let go by the club and Football Australia imposed no-fault interim suspension notices.

Macarthur FC CEO Sam Krslovic (left) revealed the financial strain the scandal left on the club.

Krslovic said he did not believe the incident had damaged the club’s reputation with fans.

“It’s been pretty limited from a club perspective... we’ve moved on from it and everyone in and around the club has moved on from it as well,” he said.

Macarthur FC’s hip pocket was slightly impacted by the incident though with Krslovic forced to replace three players’ he hadn’t planned on being without for the 2024/25 season.

That coupled with the reduced payment through the Australian Professional League’s central distribution fund made for a difficult off-season.

“I wouldn’t say it has been the busiest, year two was our busiest (off-season), but it has been challenging,” Krslovic said.

“We never planned for them to not be around which added to the complexity of recruitment and also the marketplace - there has been a considerable shift in the marketplace in terms of remuneration that’s available to bring players in.”

Macarthur made three key signings in the off-season luring Luke Brattan from Sydney FC, Marin Jokolis and Chris Ikonomidis.

Star signing Luke Brattan has moved to Macarthur from Sydney FC. Picture: Getty

Krslovic said he understood why the APL had to slash its funds to clubs from $2 million to $530,000 but said it had put a curveball in the recruitment process.

“It changes your recruitment slightly,” he said.

“I think it is the middle tier players who are most affected, the top tier players still command relatively and everyone is looking to unearth the next young transfer prospect so it does affect the middle tier player.

“In some cases clubs might choose not to go for those players because you have a young one underneath who potentially fills the void, you’ll always recruit a high level player because you add to the team from a character, performance and mentoring capability.

“But people have to realise it is a sign of the times, not just in football, but in the economy in general, everyone has to tighten their own belts so why not football.”

Macarthur FC have struggled to get a foothold in the competition since joining in 2020/21. But last season had a different feel to it – they won 11 of their 27 matches – finishing fifth on equal points with rivals Sydney FC. The Sky Blues got the better of them in their elimination final, a 4-0 loss putting an end to their season.

Chris Ikonomidis has also headed west to join the Bulls. Picture: Getty

Krslovic said he was happy with the team they had put together and confident they could build on last year’s success.

The club will no longer be the baby in the league with Auckland FC joining this season.

Krslovic said it was a sign the league was going well.

“I’m pretty positive, I’m pretty excited about the game itself, we’re seeing a lot of youngsters, this product is improving year on year and I think it will be a very exciting season,” he said.

The CEO said he had plans to aid the League’s growth by applying for an A-League women’s licence in the near future.

Aside from Auckland FC, who plan to launch a women’s team for the 2025/26 season, Macarthur are the only men’s club without an affiliated women’s A-League team.

They do have an associated women’s NPL team.

Lack of facilities in southwestern Sydney mean the two arms of the club aren’t even linked physically - the men hire the showgrounds for training and the NPL women’s train 40km away in North Sydney.

Krslovic said the dream would be to have everyone together.

“Ideally now we should be closer together, but logistics and infrastructure don’t allow that,” he said.

“Our biggest challenge at the moment is infrastructure.

“We really need government support to come up with the infrastructure that’s lacking in the southwest of Sydney - it is impacting our ability to field a women’s team (in the A-Leagues).

“We are lobbying with government to help with the Centre of Excellence but it takes time. Our intention is to have a women’s team 100 per cent.”

Macarthur FC will kick off their A-League campaign against Perth Glory on October 20.

Originally published as Macarthur FC CEO Sam Krslovic discusses the match-fixing saga, and unexpected financial blow, which rocked the club