Kearyn Baccus charged over alleged involvement in yellow card betting scandal
Two more Macarthur FC players have been named in court documents as police continue to investigate the alleged $10,000 yellow-card betting scandal.
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Two more Macarthur FC players have been named in court documents as police continue to investigate the alleged $10,000 yellow-card betting scandal.
Defender Matthew George Millar and Jed Francis Drew who plays as a forward have been accused of participating in a criminal group with fellow player Kearyn Baccus, Clayton Lewis and club captain Ulises Davila.
Court documents state Millar and Drew participated in a a criminal group from December 2023 to April this year but neither have been charged by police.
This comes after Macarthur FC midfielder Kearyn Baccus, 32, appeared before Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday on charges of participating in a criminal group and engaging in conduct that corrupts betting outcome of an event.
A Football Australia spokesperson said they had “been informed by the State Crime Command Organised Crime Squad that the investigation, known as Strike Force Beaconview, is ongoing.”
“It is important to note that player Jed Drew is not regarded as a suspect and is currently not under investigation. Football Australia takes these matters seriously and is committed to cooperating fully with the authorities”
Baccus was arrested on May 17 following an investigation into a betting scandal which uncovered alleged yellow card manipulation by Macarthur FC players between November and December last year.
Investigations revealed a senior player was allegedly taking instructions from a man - believed to be offshore in South America – to organise for yellow cards to occur during certain games in exchange for profit.
Officers will allege there were “multiple thousands of dollars paid out” worth $10,000 as a result of the bets.
Courts documents state Baccus allegedly engaged in conduct that corrupted betting outcomes of a match between Sydney FC and Macarthur FC on December 9 last year at Moore Park by obtaining a yellow card.
Teammate Clayton Lewis and club captain Ulises Davila have also been charged with multiple counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts betting outcomes of an event, facilitating the conduct that corrupts betting outcomes and have been bailed to front courts around Sydney later this month and in June.
The number of yellow cards were allegedly manipulated during games played on November 24, 2023 and December, 9 2023.
Failed attempts were then allegedly made to control the number of yellow cards during games on April 20, 2024 and May 4, 2024.
This comes after Football Australia announced interim suspension notices, effective immediately on May 17 for Lewis, Davil and Baccus, “given the very serious nature of the allegations made against the players”.
“This is very troubling news for the Australian football community and beyond,” Football Australia CEO James 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.”
Baccus’s matter was adjourned to June 24 at Downing Centre Local Court.
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