Brother of Socceroo among three A-League footballers embroiled in alleged yellow card scandal

Three men embroiled in the A-League betting scandal that has rocked Australian football have been issued interim bans, with the alleged actions condemned by FA boss James Johnson. ERIN SMITH reports.

Kearyn Baccus is one the three players accused. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The older brother of a rising Socceroos star has been arrested in relation to an alleged betting scandal in the A-League’s men’s competition.

Kearyn Baccus, 32, is the older brother of Keanu Baccus - who made his national team debut in 2022.

Baccus is alleged to be one of three Macarthur Bulls players involved in the scandal - including captain Ulises Davila and teammate Clayton Lewis.

Football Australia boss James Johnson emphatically condemned the match-fixing allegations against Macarthur A-League players after issuing immediate interim bans on the three players.

Football Australia announced the interim no fault bans late on Friday evening after the players were arrested in Sydney in connection with alleged betting corruption under NSW Police’s Strike Force Beaconview.

“This is very troubling news for the Australian football community and beyond,” Johnson said.

“The conduct that has been alleged has no place in our game. We will do everything we can to get to the bottom of it and no stone will be left unturned.

“The integrity of football in Australia is paramount, and we will not tolerate any actions that compromise it.

“We will work closely with the NSW Police and other law enforcement agencies to assist them in their investigation.”

There is no allegation Keanu Baccus, who plays in the Scottish league and starred for the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup, was involved in the alleged crime.

KEARYN BACCUS

Baccus was born in South Africa, and has played at various A-Leagues clubs including Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers since 2014. He signed with Macarthur for the 2022/23 season.

Police allege the betting scam related to being awarded yellow cards at a certain point in matches played on November 24, 2023 and December 9, 2023.

Baccus was one of five Macarthur players issued a yellow card in the December 9 clash against Sydney FC.

Police allege the three players also attempted to manipulate the games on April 20, 2024 and May 4, 2024.

Baccus was awarded a yellow card in the April 20 game.

The midfielder was arrested by police on Thursday and charged with engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.

CLAYTON LEWIS

Clayton Lewis, 27, a New Zealand footballer and Olympian, joined Macarthur FC this season after three years with Wellington Phoenix.

The midfielder has played in all 26 games for his new club, including seven AFC cup matches and still has one year left on his contract.

Clayton made his national team debut for the All Whites when he was 18, back in 2015.

He was part of New Zealand’s Olympic football team at the Tokyo Games, where the All Whites finished sixth.

ULISES DAVILA

Ulises Davila is the captain of the Macarthur Bulls with the attacking midfielder hailing from from Mexico. He was the first Mexican to sign with Chelsea when he signed a five-year deal in 2011.

He has also had stints playing in the Dutch league, Spain, India and had his first stint in the A-League with the Wellington Phoenix.

DaVila, 33, was arrested by police after they executed a search warrant at a South Coogee address.

Ulises Davila is one of the accused. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENED

Police alleged Davila took instructions from a man, believed to be in South America - to organise yellow cards to occur during certain points of the matches.

Davila received a yellow card in both matches in question - on November 24, 2023 and December 9, 2023 - both occasions for talking back to the referee.

Macarthur FC have released a statement int he wake of the scandal breaking on Friday morning.

“For obvious reasons and given the ongoing police investigation the club is not in position to add anything other than,” the statement said.

“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 focussed 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.”

In a statement, Football Australia said it was aware three A-League men’s players had been arrested and were due to face court this afternoon.

“The allegations pertain to yellow card manipulation by players associated with a south-western Sydney football club, with incidents reportedly occurring during games played on 24 November 2023, 9 December 2023, 20 April 2024, and 4 May 2024,” the statement said.

“Football Australia is fully cooperating with the Organised Crime Squad, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sport Integrity Australia and the NSW Crime Commission in this matter. “Football Australia will provide no further comments at this stage as the investigation is ongoing.”

Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald speaks to media at NSW Police Headquarters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The Australian Professional Leagues, the body who run the A-Leagues’ Men’s competition also issued a statement following the arrests of the three players allegedly involved in a betting scandal.

“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 statement read.

“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 enquiries we are unable to comment further at this time.”

Originally published as Brother of Socceroo among three A-League footballers embroiled in alleged yellow card scandal