A-League star Ulises Davila cops fresh charges over betting scandal

The former captain of an A-League club has been hit with five fresh charges over his alleged role in a betting scandal.

Former Macarthur FC captain Ulises Davila has been hit with fresh charges over his alleged role in an A-League spot-fixing scandal, a court has been told.

Mr Davila, 33, and ex-Bulls teammates Clayton Lewis and Kearyn Baccus were arrested last year for alleged betting corruption linked to a South American criminal figure.

Police have alleged the Mexican star was taking instructions from a Colombian associate to organise for yellow cards to occur during games in exchange for money.

Following his arrest in May last year, Mr Davila was charged with participating in a criminal group, facilitating conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event and two counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event.

The Mexican midfielder and the club agreed to a “mutual termination” of his contract following his arrest.

Ulises Davila (right) has been hit with new charges. Picture: NewsWire/Monique Harmer

According to court documents, Mr Davila is alleged to have participated in a criminal group with others including Mr Baccus, Mr Lewis and “an associate in Colombia”.

He is alleged to have used his role as captain of Macarthur FC to “encourage other Macarthur FC players to engage in conduct to obtain disciplinary cards” that “corrupted the betting outcome”, according to the court documents.

It is alleged Mr Lewis and Mr Baccus were paid up to $10,000 by Mr Davila, who was directed by a South American syndicate.

Mr Lewis and Mr Baccus have both been charged with one count each of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event and participating in a criminal group.

Clayton Lewis. Picture: NewsWire/Nikki Short

Kearyn Baccus. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Mr Davila is alleged to have organised to manipulate yellow cards against Melbourne Victory on November 24 and against Sydney FC on December 9, 2023.

He was represented by his solicitor Kiki Kyriacou as his case was mentioned in the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

He is now facing additional charges of three counts of facilitating conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, one count each of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event and knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group.

Neither Mr Davila, Mr Lewis nor Mr Baccus were required to appear in court on Thursday, with their matters to return to court on April 10.

All three have not yet entered pleas.

Originally published as A-League star Ulises Davila cops fresh charges over betting scandal