Macarthur FC players Ulises Dávila, Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis charged over alleged betting scandal

Football Australia has issued no-fault interim suspension notices to the three top-tier players who have been charged in connection with an alleged A-League betting scandal.

• WATCH: yellow cards under scrutiny

Football Australia has issued no-fault interim suspension notices to the three top-tier players who have been charged in connection with an alleged A-League betting scandal.

Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila and players Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis have all been charged with multiple counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts betting outcomes of an event, facilitating the conduct that corrupts a betting outcomes and been bailed to front courts around Sydney later this month and in June.

The news has engulfed the sport a week ahead of the grand final.

On Friday night Football Australia announced the interim suspension notices, effective immediately, “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. 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.”

Captain of the Macarthur A-League team Ulises Dávila. Picture: Getty Images

Dávila was charged on Friday over the alleged betting scandal. Picture: Getty Images

A-League player Kearyn Baccus outside Campbelltown Police station on Friday. Picture: Inasha Iftekhar

Police sources said the investigation allegedly uncovered that a player was passing on $10,000 to two other players for deliberately receiving yellow cards.

It will be alleged a South American organised crime figure dubbed “The Instructor” was involved in the scheme.

Investigations revealed a senior player was allegedly taking instructions from the South American man 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” as a result of the bets, saying at a press conference they had to act today before one of the players left the jurisdiction.

Clayton Lewis of Macarthur FC. Picture: Getty Images

Kearyn Baccus was also arrested. Picture: Getty Images

Police said they were also now looking for another player to interview as a result of their investigation.

“There is currently one further player out there police wish to interview who is currently out of the state,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitgerald said.

“In the coming days we are hoping that player returns to our state or we will be seeking his extradition.

“And whilst $10,000 may seem a lot of money to a young sports person, we will advise that is incredibly insignificant when you consider the damage that being charged with this offence and convicted will result in to that young person’s reputation.

“But more importantly, it affects the confidence and trust that supporters have in these young sports people that they will always play to the best of their ability.”

Organised Crime Squad Commander Superintendent Peter Faux told reporters no other A-League club was involved, but warned the players allegedly involved had let down the sport as a whole.

The A-League players being arrested on Friday.

Police are looking for a fourth player. Pictures: NSW Police

Organised Crime Squad officers investigated alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview. Source: NSW Police.

“These people are fortunate to be in a position where they’re, in some cases, paid a lot of money to do something they love and unfortunately ... they’ve taken advantage of that position and brought down the integrity of not only themselves and the club that they play for, but unfortunately the sport,” he said.

GAMES UNDER INVESTIGATION

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.

The Bulls were knocked out of the finals on May 4 after a 4-0 loss to Sydney FC.

The multi-agency team that uncovered the bets included the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

It is understood investigators would now cast their eyes over results from the players’ careers spanning beyond the A-League and police are also looking into whether other Macarthur players are involved.

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