Three Macarthur Bulls A-League stars, including captain Ulises Dávila, were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview.
Investigations revealed that a senior player, believed to be Dávila, 33, was allegedly receiving instructions from a man, believed to be offshore in South America, to arrange for yellow cards to be issued during certain games at profit change.
Police will allege Davila successfully controlled the number of cautions – which a referee gives to players for foul play – during a match against Melbourne Victory on November 24 and a match against Sydney FC on December 9.
The other two Macarthur players allegedly caught up in the betting corruption ring have yet to be named.
Police also confirmed that unsuccessful yellow card tampering attempts were made during the April 20 and May 4 games.
Macarthur Bulls captain Ulises Davila has been named as one of three A-League players arrested over betting corruption allegations.
The Mexican-born star joined the Bulls in 2021 from A-League rivals Wellington Phoenix.
Following extensive investigations, at around 6am on Friday, strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group, Odin, executed a search warrant in South Coogee, where they arrested a 33 year old man.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station, where he is expected to be charged with two counts of engaging in conduct corrupting the outcome of an event bet, and two counts of facilitating conduct corrupting the outcome of an event bet. .
Simultaneously, strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Raptor Squad, the Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad and the North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group, executed three further search warrants in Parramatta, West Hoxton and Emu Plains in western Sydney.
At the Parramatta address, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man.
He was taken to Parramatta police station, where he is expected to be charged with engaging in conduct corrupting the outcome of betting on an event.
In West Hoxton, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man. He was taken to Campbelltown police station where he is expected to be charged with engaging in conduct corrupting the outcome of betting on an event.
Organized Crime Team detectives are working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, the Australian Professional Leagues and the New South Wales Crime Commission as investigations continue.
No charges have been filed at this time.
Three A-League players were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview (file image)
The trio of football players are based in Sydney (file image)
Dávila joined Macarthur in 2021 from A-League rivals Wellington Phoenix and is widely regarded as one of the best players in the competition.
The Mexican-born attacking midfielder was on Chelsea’s books from 2011 to 2015, but failed to make a senior appearance for the Blues.
After leaving England, Devila became a football nomad, plying his trade in Holland, Spain, Portugal, Mexico and India before moving to New Zealand in 2019.
Football Australia released a statement on Friday about the arrests.
‘Football Australia has been informed of the arrest of three male A-League players this morning, following an investigation by the New South Wales Police Force’s Organized Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview. The detained players are expected to appear in court this afternoon.
“The allegations concern yellow card tampering by players associated with a south-west Sydney football club, with incidents alleged to have occurred during matches played on November 24, 2023, December 9, 2023, on April 20, 2024 and May 4, 2024.
‘Football Australia is cooperating fully with the Organized Crime Squad, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sport Integrity Australia and the New South Wales Crime Commission in this matter.
“Football Australia will not be making any further comment at this time as the investigation is ongoing.”
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) later issued their own statement on the matter.
‘The APL is aware of the arrests of three A-League players by New South Wales Police as a result of international law enforcement coordination focusing on betting corruption related to alleged manipulation of yellow cards in games.
‘The work to protect the integrity of our game must be unwavering and we are working closely with all relevant agencies on this matter. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation and police inquiries, we are unable to comment further at this time.