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A-League Pair Spared Convictions in Yellow-Card Betting Case

The sentencing follows an investigation that alleges captain Ulises Dávila funneled the scheme through a Colombian contact.

Overview

  • Former Macarthur FC players Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis received two-year conditional release orders without convictions after pleading guilty to corrupting a betting outcome.
  • Both must repay the $10,000 they were paid to deliberately receive yellow cards in the December 9, 2023 match against Sydney FC, with treatment and supervision conditions imposed.
  • Court findings said there was no evidence either player placed bets or knew of the wagers or payment amounts, and noted Lewis’s diagnosed gambling addiction and a power imbalance with Dávila.
  • Police and court documents detail about 50 simultaneous bets placed via overseas bookmaker BetPlay on Macarthur receiving four or more yellow cards, with payouts reported at more than $167,000.
  • Dávila faces nine charges and did not enter pleas as he negotiated with prosecutors; his matter was adjourned to October 9, and Football Australia says Baccus and Lewis remain suspended.