Police reveal how they exposed alleged ‘match-fixing’ in A-League matches that took down Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila

Once a rising Chelsea star, police will now allege Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila is one of three players involved in an alleged A-League betting scandal that has rocked the code. .

The Mexican, whose wife Lily died suddenly almost two years ago, was questioned on Friday at Mascot police station in Sydney and charged with two counts of corrupt conduct and two of facilitating corrupt conduct in betting results.

Police confirmed their investigation allegedly uncovered information that one player, Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila, was passing $10,000 to two other players for deliberately receiving yellow cards.

A South American organized crime figure nicknamed “the Instructor” will be alleged to have been involved in the plot.

The other two Bulls players, Kearyn Baccus, 32, the older brother of Socceroos star Keanu, were arrested in West Hoxton, while Clayton Lewis, 27, was in custody in Parramatta.

Both men were charged, and Macarthur FC is also the same club that Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke once coached before resigning in early 2023 and declaring they were a “pub team”.

Police also confirmed they will interview a fourth player, who is currently outside New South Wales, once he can be located.

He is also expected to be charged.

Investigations revealed that a veteran player, Dávila, was allegedly receiving instructions from the South American to arrange for yellow cards to be shown during certain games in exchange for winnings.

The number of yellow cards was allegedly manipulated during matches played on November 24, 2023 – when Macarthur drew 1-1 with Melbourne Victory – and on December 9 last year, where the Bulls beat Sydney FC 2-0 .

Unsuccessful attempts were then allegedly made to control the number of yellow cards during the matches on April 20 and May 4 this year.

The multi-agency team that uncovered the bets included the UK Gambling Commission.

NSW Organized Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux confirmed eyebrows were raised after large sums of money were bet offshore on A-League games currently under the microscope .

He also stated that it was disappointing that the trio of players “betrayed the trust of their fans.”

Deputy Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald added that the trio of arrests should send a clear warning that bad decisions can “destroy sporting careers and lifelong reputations.”