Ulises Davila embroiled in A-League’s biggest alleged betting scandal after tough two years

The A-League’s wrapped its arms around Macarther FC captain Ulises Davila two years ago, now he’s embroiled in one of the league’s biggest alleged betting scandals in history.

Two years ago A-League clubs wrapped their arms around heartbroken Ulises Davila as he mourned the sudden death of his wife – now the Macarthur Bulls captain is at the centre of one of the biggest alleged betting scandals in A-League's history.

Davila, 33, has been charged with two counts of engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event and two counts of facilitate in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.

Police allege the players attempted to manipulate the game by committing fouls to gain yellow cards.

Davila received a yellow card in both matches in question – on November 24, 2023 and December 9, 2023.

Davila, who joined Macarthur FC for the 2021/22 season, has had a bad couple of years following the passing of his wife Lily Pacheco in 2022.

A league player Ulises Dávila with Lily Pacheco as seen on social media

Their son was just two years old when Lilly, 31, died from complications from Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a Cerebrovascular disease which affects blood flow and blood vessels in the brain.

Lily, who lived in Mexico, was told she needed surgery which had a 50-60 per cent chance of success.

A second surgery didn’t yield positive results with Lilly declared brain dead.

It was Davila who had to make “hardest decision of his life” to turn off her life support.

Ulises Davila is at the centre of one of A-League’s biggest alleged betting scandals. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

After grieving, it was Davila’s parents who convinced him to return to Australia and continue his football career.

He wore a jersey with Lily’s name on the back as Macarthur FC beat Sydney United 2-0 to claim the Australia Cup in August 2022.

The week before the game Davila shared a touching post on his social media pages with a photo of Lily and his son post-match.

“It’s so hard for me to think how to do it without you,” he wrote in Spanish.

“I just know that I will try my best, as you always told me ‘give your best at every moment and enjoy’.

“I know that you would like me to continue playing to be happy and to be able to pass that on to our son. I will really miss that kiss and hug before each game or each trip, that call before entering the stadium to give me strength and the best of all knowing that whatever the result was you would always receive me with a big smile, a kiss and a hug.”

In November 2022 when Macarthur played Davila’s former club Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand both clubs donned white arm bands emblazoned with Lily’s name. Even pausing the game at the 30 minute mark for a moment’s silence.

Davila wasn’t at the game, he was watching from home with a hamstring injury.

But tweeted that the gesture had left him in tears.

“I’m in tears, I have no words for this gesture,” Davila tweeted during the match.

“Thanks @WgtnPhoenixFC, the players and the people involved behind this. Love and respect from me and my family.”

im in tears, I have no words for this gesture, thanks @WgtnPhoenixFC , the players and the people involved behind this. love and respect from me and my family 🙏🏼🕊🤍 you were the best LILY pic.twitter.com/eHDVKbcfvf

— ulises davila (@uli_davila) November 6, 2022

All A-League's clubs had rallied behind the midfielder – sharing touching tributes and kind words.

While he had the support of the league Davila’s social media posts highlight the toll the shock loss had on him.

“2022 you destroyed me,” Davila shared on his social media in December 2022.

“You changed my life, you broke my heart, but I’m still looking for the purpose of my life.

“This is me … someone who is very vulnerable and who cries senselessly many times.

“I pray for strength and wisdom to follow this coming year, blessing to all of you.”

Davila seemed to draw inspiration from the heartbreak the following year with impressive on field performances.

He has had a stand out season this year scoring nine goals in 25 A-League matches and another four across six AFC Cup clashes.

Davila was named the Bulls’ Members’ Player of the Season at their end of season awards night just two weeks ago.

The same week he signed a two-year contract extension until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Originally published as Ulises Davila embroiled in A-League’s biggest alleged betting scandal after tough two years