Three Footballers in Australia Arrested for Yellow Card-fixing
Three football players from Australia’s A-League team Macarthur FC have been arrested for allegedly engaging in yellow card-fixing. The players, including team captain Ulises Dávila and his teammates Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis, are accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards towards the end of last season.
The investigation, dubbed Strike Force Beaconview, was launched by New South Wales police in December last year to probe suspected football match fraud. Working closely with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), police conducted multiple raids in Sydney leading to the arrests.
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Orchestrated From South America
Investigations revealed that Dávila was instructed by a man believed to be based in South America. Dávila’s role was to ensure certain players received yellow cards in specific matches, receiving substantial financial compensation in return. Australian police said the senior player paid junior team mates up to A$10,000 (NZ$ 10.967) to intentionally commit offences on the pitch.
“In one of the investigated matches, payouts amounted to several hundred thousand US dollars,” stated NSW Police Detective Superintendent Peter Faux. He also mentioned that there was no evidence suggesting players from other A-League teams were involved in match fixing activities, although investigations are still ongoing. The Australian Professional Leagues, which govern the A-League, confirmed their cooperation with the authorities.
“Investigations revealed that a key player allegedly took instructions from a man from South America to take yellow cards during certain matches in return for winnings.”
New South Wales Police
Besides the three arrested players, police are also waiting for the return of another player, whose names has not been disclosed, to New South Wales. If this individual does not return soon to Australia, authorities will officially file for his extradition.
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Previous Failed Attempts
Between November 24, 2023, and December 9, 2023, Dávila and his teammates allegedly engaged in yellow card-fixing. Additional attempts to influence matches on April 20, 2024, and May 4, 2024, reportedly failed. Macarthur FC has expressed its concerns:
“Integrity is an important pillar and we will work very closely with all involved authorities.”
Macarthur FC
Football Australia CEO James Johnson added in an official statement that the news has been “very troubling for the Australian football community and other stakeholders”.
This scandal echoes a similar controversy in England last year when Lucas Paquetá’s potential transfer to Manchester City was cancelled due to suspicions of spot fixing. The Brazilian midfielder of West Ham United was accused of deliberately receiving a yellow card in a Premier League match, leading online bookmakers to cancel bets on his bookings.
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