- Three Macarthur Bulls players arrested in Sydney
- Accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards in matches
- Major bookmakers are set to provide evidence
Statements from a number of foreign betting agencies will form part of the case against a former A-League captain and midfielders who are accused of a scheme to manipulate yellow cards, a court has heard.
Former Macarthur Bulls team manager Ulises Davila and midfielders Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday over the alleged betting-fixing scheme.
The former captain, who parted ways with the club shortly after his arrest in May, allegedly acted as a conduit between players at the south-west Sydney side and an unnamed criminal group in Colombia.
He allegedly paid Baccus and Lewis up to $10,000 to deliberately receive yellow cards through an illegal bet-fixing scheme.
Davila’s lawyer, Kiki Kyriacou, told Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday that prosecutors had not yet handed over the full brief of evidence to his client.
This included records of gaming machines and statements from bookmakers BetPlay Colombia, Bet365 New Jersey and Bet365 Bulgaria, the court was told.
Ulises Dávila, centre, leaves Downing Centre Local Court after being charged with an alleged betting-fixing scheme
Former Macarthur FC player Kearyn Baccus, right, arrives at Campbelltown Local Court
Macarthur Bulls player Clayton Lewis is the third player to be charged over the allegations
Baccus’ attorney, Rose Cetin, added that transcripts of the audio calls and a statement from the officer in charge of the investigation were also pending.
Lewis and his lawyer Zemarai Khatiz appeared in a separate court at the complex, where he was told police had handed the footballer 2,500 pages of evidence.
All three cases have been postponed until 17 October.
Police say the betting scheme led to the payout of hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings and was directed by the Colombian contact.
Investigators allege that yellow cards, which referees typically issue as a warning for foul play, were manipulated during matches played on November 24 and December 9.
Macarthur drew 1-1 with Melbourne Victory on 24 November before beating Sydney FC 2-0 on 9 December.
The three accused players were cautioned in the December 9 match against Sydney.
Police also claim there were unsuccessful attempts to do the same during matches on April 20 and May 4.
Baccus was released by the Bulls during a 2024 offseason cleanup.
