10-07-2025
Update in A-League betting scandal
Two former A-League players have admitted to their involvement in a spot fixing scheme during a series of matches last year by earning yellow cards.
Ex-Bulls teammates Ulises Davila, Clayton Lewis and Kearyn Baccus were arrested last year for betting corruption linked to a South American criminal figure.
Former Macarthur FC captain Davila, is facing a string of nine charges relating to a total of six A-League games.
Among those charges are four counts of facilitating conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, three counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group and participating in a criminal group/ contribute to criminal activity.
He has not yet entered any pleas. Two former A-League players, Kearyn Baccus (left) and Clayton Lewis (right) have pleaded guilty to their role in a spot fixing scheme. Credit: NewsWire
Lewis and Baccus were both charged with one count each of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event and participating in a criminal group.
Lewis and Baccus attended the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, and both pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event.
The second charge of participating in a criminal group/ contribute to criminal activity was withdrawn.
Lewis had previously pleaded not guilty, however, after ongoing negotiations with the DPP, those pleas were withdrawn.
Their co-accused, Mr Davila, did not attend and has not entered any plea.
Following Mr Davila's arrest the soccer player was alleged to have organised to manipulate yellow cards against Melbourne Victory on November 24 and against Sydney FC on December 9 in 2023.
Mr Davila and the club agreed to a 'mutual termination' of his contract following his arrest.
It is alleged Lewis and Baccus were paid up to $10,000 by Mr Davila, who was directed by a South American contact.
More to come …
