A-League footballers charged in yellow card betting corruption investigation

Three male professional athletes in Australia’s top soccer competition have been charged as part of a betting corruption investigation.

Officials from A-League club Macarthur FC reacted with shock after a trio of players including Mexican star and club captain Ulises Davila were arrested for alleged betting corruption after a NSW Police investigation.

Davila and teammates Clayton Lewis and Kearyn Baccus, the brother of Socceroos star Keanu, were arrested after the NSW Organised Crime Squad-led investigation.

Police say one of the three players 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.

The men aged 27, 32 and 33 were charged on Friday afternoon after 6am raids at houses in South Coogee, Parramatta, West Hoxton, and Emu Plains were carried out on Friday morning.

Ulises Alejandro Davila Plascencia of Macarthur FC is one of three players arrested, with police expected to lay charges later on Friday. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Fitzgerald alleged up to $10,000 had been paid to convince players to earn yellow cards in matches across the A-League season.

Police will allege there were “multiple thousands of dollars paid out” as a result of the bets.

No other clubs were involved in the investigation, but a fourth person is also being sought for questioning.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that the (alleged) actions of only several people have severely damaged the integrity of a game that so many people around the world love and so many people are passionate about,” Mr Fitzgerald said at a press conference on Friday.

“They’ve brought down the integrity of not only themselves and the club that they played for but unfortunately the sport.”

It is alleged the players did, or attempted to, influence the issuing of yellow cards in four matches. Picture: NSW Police

Clayton Lewis of Macarthur FC. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Former Socceroo, human rights activist and sports analyst Craig Foster called news of the arrests shocking.

“Shocking news in domestic football today,” Foster posted on X.

“Raises further questions about the link between gambling and sport. Gambling companies owning clubs, sponsorship and advertising.”

Former Socceroo Craig Foster has sparked discussion of the links between sport and gambling. Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Davila, 33, who once played with English Premier League giants Chelsea, won the A-League’s highest honour, the Johnny Warren Medal, in 2021 and recently signed a contract extension with Macarthur until the end of the 2025-26 season.

But he was a shock omission from the A-League All-Stars team named to take on EPL giants Newcastle United in Melbourne next week before news of his arrest emerged.

Macarthur FC released a statement addressing the arrests.

Kearyn Baccus has been charged. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“For obvious reasons and given the ongoing police investigation, the club is not in position to add anything,” 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 co-ordination focused 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.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said athletes engaged in illegal betting activity risked irreparable damage to their careers, their club, and their livelihoods. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“The club will make further comment if and when is required.”

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview.

The police strike force was set up in December 2023, assisted by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, to investigate alleged yellow card manipulation by players attached to a southwestern Sydney football club.

Lewis and Baccus are expected to be charged with engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.

News of the alleged criminal wrongdoing has come right in the middle of the A League’s finals series. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Davila is likely to face two charges of facilitates conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.

The number of yellow cards were allegedly manipulated during games played on Friday November 24, 2023 and Saturday, December 9, 2023.

Failed attempts were then allegedly made to control the number of yellow cards during games on Saturday, April 20, 2024 and Saturday, May 4, 2024.

A Football Australia spokesperson said the players were expected in court on Friday afternoon.

“Football Australia is fully co-operating with the Organised Crime Squad, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sport Integrity Australia and the NSW Crime Commission in this matter,” the spokesperson said.

The alleged offending relates to yellow cards in four fixtures this season. Picture: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images

“Football Australia will provide no further comments at this stage as the investigation is ongoing.”

A-League governing body, the Australian Professional Leagues, said the integrity of the game must be protected.

“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 inquiries we are unable to comment further at this time,” the APL said in a statement.

Fifteen yellow cards were given out in the games police have alleged the players did, or attempted to, influence. Picture: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Speaking at the police press conference, Mr Fitzgerald called on athletes to not engage in illegal betting activity, or risk irreparable damage to their careers, the club, and their livelihoods.

“These arrests should be a clear warning to young people and young sports people are either engaging or considering becoming engaged in corruption within the sport,” he said.

“The consequences that will arise from them being identified in these criminal acts can potentially destroy their careers and their reputation for life.”

Second-leg matches of the A-League semi-finals are happening on Saturday; Macarthur FC did not make it to this late stage in the competition.