Clayton Lewis: New development in case of footy star accused of manipulating match in betting scam for a South American criminal identity
- Clayton Lewis accused of December 2023 match
- Two of his teammates at Macarthur FC also attacked
A third footballer involved in the A-League yellow card scandal wants to fight the charges.
Clayton Rhys Lewis, 27, appeared in court in Sydney on Thursday, accused of betting fraud and participating in a criminal organisation. He was charged along with two teammates in May.
Police say he was one of a number of Macarthur Bulls A-League players who were deliberately given yellow cards during matches, for which he was paid up to $10,000.
Lewis made no comment as he left the Downing Centre court. His lawyer said he would fight the charges.
“I have been instructed that Mr. Lewis will defend himself against this charge and plead not guilty,” Zemarai Khatiz told the court.
Lewis’ bail was slightly modified with police approval. Police are expected to hand over evidence in August.
He is accused of deliberately receiving a yellow card during a match against Sydney FC in December, knowing that he was doing so to corrupt the betting market.
Lewis is also accused of participating in a criminal gang, along with four other players.
Former Bulls captain Ulises Davila, 33, is alleged to have influenced other players to participate in the scheme.
A-League star Clayton Davis will appear in Sydney District Court on Wednesday after his lawyer said he would plead not guilty to charges of betting rigging and participating in a criminal gang.
The 27-year-old (pictured playing for the Macarthur Bulls) is accused of deliberately receiving a yellow card in an A-League match last December
He and the club “agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent” when he appeared in court in June.
Kearyn Baccus, 32, also appeared in court over the alleged scheme.
All three are due to appear in court again on August 22.
Two other players are named in court documents as members of a criminal gang with the accused trio, but have not yet been charged.
Police allege the bet resulted in payouts of hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings and was overseen by a South American contact.