Australian professional soccer team Macarthur FC is facing scandal after accusations that its captain, Ulises Davila, paid teammates Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis up to $10,000 to deliberately receive yellow cards in connection with a South American gambling scheme. The players were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the match-fixing scheme, which is said to have led to hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid out in winnings. Davila is scheduled to appear in court on June 24, while authorities are seeking to interview a fourth player allegedly involved in the scheme.
The match-fixing allegations involve manipulated yellow cards during games played in November and December, with unsuccessful attempts made during matches in April and May. Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald condemned the players for betraying the trust of their supporters and the integrity of the game, emphasizing the serious consequences of being charged and convicted of such offenses. The club, Macarthur FC, expressed shock at the allegations and pledged to cooperate with authorities, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the sport.
The investigation into the match-fixing scheme was launched in December 2023 with the help of British officials after suspicious betting patterns were identified. The club’s CEO, Sam Krslovic, stated that Macarthur FC would work closely with all relevant agencies on the matter, underscoring the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game. The players were arrested in various Sydney suburbs, with Davila expected to be charged with two counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event and two counts of facilitating such conduct, while Baccus and Lewis are also facing charges.
Football Australia has been made aware of the arrests and is cooperating with the investigation into the match-fixing allegations involving Macarthur FC players. Macarthur FC has been competing in the A-League men’s competition since the 2020-21 season, with the league consisting of 11 clubs based in Australia and one in New Zealand. The grand final championship match for this season is scheduled for May 25, and the league will be closely monitoring the situation surrounding the match-fixing scandal. The club and authorities are working together to address the issue and maintain the integrity of professional soccer in Australia.
