All Whites midfielder Clayton Lewis is reportedly among three players arrested in relation to an A-league betting scandal. Photo: www.photosport.nz
New Zealand Football says it is concerned about the serious allegations made in the A-League betting scandal unfolding in Sydney.
All White Clayton Lewis was one of three players arrested by New South Wales Police on Friday for their part in alleged manipulation of yellow cards during games for gambling purposes.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said the organisation has not received official confirmation of allegations and would continue to monitor the issue.
Australian media was reporting Lewis, who now plays for Sydney club Macarthur, was arrested along with former Phoenix captain Ulises Davila who was now also at Macarthur along with midfielder Kearyn Baccus.
The NSW Police Organised Crime Squad Gaming Unit launched an investigation into the alleged manipulation of yellow cards during football games for gambling purposes.
Police alleged they discovered Dávila, 33, had been allegedly taking instructions from a man - believed to be in South America - to organise yellow cards to occur during certain points in A-League games.
The alleged offending occurred during games between 24 November and 9 December last year.
Dávila received a yellow card during Macarthur FC's game against Melbourne Victory on 24 November and another yellow card during his side's match against Sydney FC on 9 December.
Failed attempts to allegedly control the number of cards issued during games happened between 20 April and 4 May this year.
Football Australia responded by issuing a no fault interim suspension notices under the Football Australia National Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Without naming the players, FA said the serious nature of the allegations made against the players forced it to announce the suspensions to "safeguard the integrity and reputation of the sport" while the players face legal proceedings.
The suspensions were "precautionary" and prevented the players from participating in any football and club related activities.
Players paid $10k for yellow card, police allege
Detectives executed five search warrants across Sydney on Saturday morning, arresting Dávila in South Coogee.
Police will allege a senior player paid junior players $10,000 for giving away yellow cards, acting under instruction of an organised crime figure in South America.
Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said the money was insignificant compared to the impact the actions of these players has had on the integrity of the game.
"We will allege that the giving out of four yellow cards and the subsequent penalties that arose out of those yellow cards could in fact change the way that result of that game went," he said.
"While $10,000 may seem a lot of money to a young sportsperson, we will advise that is incredibly insignificant when you consider the damage that being charged with this offence and conviction results in.
"We will allege that these instance in November and December 2023, that these players betrayed the trust of their supporters."
Police said in addition to the three players arrested this morning, they were looking for another player who was currently out of the state.
Former Phoenix captain Ulises Davila Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Betting done 'predominantly in South America'
NSW Police State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said investigators had not identified any betting in Australia, but "predominantly in South America".
"There's multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid out in respect to the game we are alleging this occurred in," he said.
Superintendent Faux said he wanted to make it clear that there was currently no other evidence or indication that any other club within the A-League was involved.
Dávila has been charged with a number of offences, including two counts of engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.
A 27-year-old player from Parramatta and a 32-year-old player from West Hoxton have also been charged with offences, including participate in a criminal group.
All three have been granted bail to appear in court at a later date.
Dávila plays as an attacking midfielder and was the first Mexican to sign with English Premier League club Chelsea in 2011, and has previously played for Wellington Phoenix.
He recently signed on for another two years at Macarthur FC.
Club 'shocked by arrests'
Macarthur FC said in a statement the club was "shocked" by the arrests
"Integrity of our game is a foundation pillar and we will work closely with all relevant agencies on this matter," the club said.
Detectives from the organised crime squad were working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Crime Commission.
In a statement the A-League said it was aware of the arrests and "are liaising closely with all relevant agencies on this matter."
ABC/RNZ