- Three Macarthur FC stars charged with gambling offences
- Arising from A-League matches in November and December
- Captain Ulises Davila, one of the players, attacked on Friday
He was once a rising Chelsea star, but now police will allege Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila is one of three players part of an alleged A-League gambling scandal that has rocked the code.
The Mexican – whose wife Lily died suddenly almost two years ago – was questioned at Sydney’s Mascot police station on Friday and charged with two counts of corrupt conduct and two counts of facilitating corrupt conduct in gambling results.
Police confirmed that their investigation allegedly uncovered information that one player – Davila – passed on $10,000 to two other players for deliberately receiving yellow cards.
It is alleged that a South American organized crime figure called ‘the Instructor’ was involved in the scheme.
Police claim Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila is one of three players involved in an alleged A-League gambling scandal that has rocked the code
The Bulls skipper is a single father, raising Ulises Jnr following the tragic death of his wife Lily in 2022
The two other Bulls players – Kearyn Baccus, 32 – the older brother of Socceroos star Keanu – were arrested in West Hoxton, while Clayton Lewis, 27, was in custody in Parramatta.
Both men were charged, with Macarthur FC also being the same club that Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke once coached – before quitting in early 2023, declaring them a ‘pub team’.
Police also confirmed they will interview a fourth player – who is currently out of NSW – once he can be located.
He is also expected to face charges.
Three Macarthur FC A-League players have been arrested, while a fourth is expected to be interviewed when police can locate him
Investigations revealed that a senior player – Davila – had allegedly taken instructions from the South American man to avoid yellow cards during certain matches in return for wins.
The number of yellow cards was allegedly manipulated during matches played on November 24, 2023 – when Macarthur drew 1-1 with Melbourne Victory – and December 9 last year, where the Bulls defeated Sydney FC 2-0.
Subsequently, unsuccessful attempts were made to control the number of yellow cards during matches on April 20 and May 4 this year.
Kiwi international Clayton Lewis (pictured right) has also been charged for his alleged role in the scandal
Kearyn Baccus – the older brother of Socceroos star Keanu Baccus – was also arrested, with police confirming they will charge a fourth player once he is located
The multi-agency team that discovered the bets included the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
Detective Superintendent Peter Faux of the NSW Organized Crime Squad confirmed eyebrows were raised after large sums of money were wagered overseas on the A-League matches currently under scrutiny.
He also said it was disappointing that the trio of players ‘betrayed the trust of their supporters’.
Deputy Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald added that the trio of arrests should serve as a stark warning that poor decisions can “destroy sporting careers and reputations for life.”