Two ex-A-League footballers have confessed to involvement in a betting corruption case after being paid to deliberately receive yellow cards during matches.
Former Macarthur Bulls skipper Ulises Davila, along with midfielders Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis, were charged with fixing yellow cards in games across 2023 and 2024.
Davila, 33, allegedly acted as the middleman between the south-west Sydney players and a Colombian criminal syndicate, coordinating when the cautions would take place.
Ulises Davila was captain of the Macarthur Bulls. (Getty)
Baccus, 33, and Lewis, 27, were said to have received up to $10,000 each from the former captain to intentionally draw referee cautions for fouls.
The midfielders today pleaded guilty to charges of conduct that corrupts betting results.
A separate charge of participating in a criminal group was withdrawn.
Lewis had earlier denied both charges, but altered his plea after discussions with prosecutors.
Both men remained expressionless in court as their pleas were formally recorded.
Sentencing for the pair is set to take place in September.
SMH: A-League Macarthur FC player Kearyn Baccus exits Campbelltown Police Station after being charged over alleged betting fraud. Friday 17, May 2024. Photo: Oscar Colman
Kearyn Baccus. (SMH)
A-League player Clayton Lewis leaving Parramatta court following his arrest on betting scandal charges. MAY 17, 2024. Photo: EDWINA PICKLES
Clayton Lewis. (Edwina Pickles)
Davila, accused of being the key local organiser of the betting scheme, has not yet entered pleas to the nine charges he faces.
He is due back in court in August.
Prosecutors are compiling extensive evidence including gaming-machine data and betting records from BetPlay Colombia, Bet365 New Jersey and Bet365 Bulgaria.
Police allege the scheme resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings.
Davila’s contract with Macarthur FC was ended shortly after his first arrest, with the club describing it as a mutual agreement.
Baccus was released by the Bulls during the 2024 off-season clear-out, while Lewis remains suspended.
