Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila paid two teammates $10,000 to give away yellow cards, police allege

Macarthur FC’s A-League captain Ulises Davila allegedly paid two of his teammates up to $10,000 to intentionally hand out yellow cards in at least one game last year.

Strike Force Beaconview was formed in December 2023 to investigate alleged manipulation of yellow cards by players of the south-west Sydney club.

Police have charged three Macarthur players – Captain Davila, 33, Clayton Lewis, 27, and Kearin Backus, 32 – for engaging in conduct that taints the outcome of a betting event and participating in a criminal gang.

“We will allege that these players deliberately issued yellow cards on the receipt and for the purpose of a corrupt payment,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald told a press conference today.

Davila was also charged additionally with engaging in conduct that corrupted the outcome of betting on another game in November 2023, as well as facilitating conduct that corrupted the outcome of betting on an event.

NSW Police are also seeking to interview another unnamed player, who is currently interstate, and will seek his extradition if he does not return.

“The police will allege that the senior member of this criminal football ring paid the junior players in that ring up to $10,000 to deliberately hand out these yellow cards and receive penalties during these games,” Fitzgerald said.

“Police will allege that this high-ranking figure in this criminal group was acting under the instruction and direction of an organized crime figure who is currently offshore in South America.”

Investigators said there was no indication at this stage that another A-League club was involved in the alleged corruption.

At this stage, all betting related to the alleged corrupt activity is believed to have taken place overseas, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in payouts.

Around 6 a.m. today, detectives executed multiple search warrants, arresting Davila, Lewis and Backus.

All three were bailed to appear in court at later dates: Davila on June 24, Lewis on June 27 and Backus on May 30.

Macarthur FC said it was cooperating with the police investigation.

“For obvious reasons and in light of the ongoing police investigation, the club is unable to add anything other than that the club is shocked and aware of the arrests of three A-League players by the NSW Police as a result of international coordination of law enforcement, betting-focused corruption related to the alleged manipulation of yellow cards in games,” a spokesman said.

“The integrity of our game is a fundamental pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter.”

Football Australia said they have been made aware of the arrests and are fully cooperating with the investigation.

“Football Australia will not be making any further comment at this stage as the investigation continues,” the body said in a statement.

The investigation continues.