NSW Police arrest three A-League players including Sydney’s Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila over betting scandal

Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila is one in every of 3 avid gamers from the A-League aspect who police say shall be charged over an alleged making a bet scandal.

The NSW Police Organised Crime Squad Gaming Unit introduced an investigation into the alleged manipulation of yellow playing cards all the way through soccer video games for playing functions.

Police will allege detectives came upon midfielder Mr Dávila, 33, were allegedly taking directions from a person — believed to be in South The us — to organise yellow playing cards to happen all the way through sure issues in A-League video games.

The alleged offending befell all the way through video games between November 24 and December 9 utmost yr.

Mr Dávila gained a yellow card all the way through Macarthur FC’s recreation towards Melbourne Victory on November 24 and every other yellow card all the way through his aspect’s fit towards Sydney FC on December 9.

Failed makes an attempt to allegedly regulate the collection of playing cards issued all the way through video games took place between April 20 and Might 4 this yr.

3 avid gamers to be charged nowadays

Detectives performed 5 seek warrants throughout Sydney this morning, arresting Mr Dávila in South Coogee.

Laborer Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald stated all 3 avid gamers have been more likely to be charged with various offences, together with collaborating in a felony staff.

Police will allege the senior participant paid young avid gamers $10,000 for making a gift of yellow playing cards, appearing underneath instruction of an organised crime determine in South The us.

Laborer Commissioner Fitzgerald stated the cash used to be insignificant in comparison to the affect the movements of those avid gamers has had at the integrity of the sport.

“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 be able to allege that those example in November and December 2023, that those avid gamers betrayed the accept as true with in their supporters.”

Police stated along with the 3 avid gamers arrested this morning, they’re on the lookout for every other participant who’s recently out of the atmosphere.

Making a bet executed ‘predominantly in South The us’

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 The us”.

“There’s more than one masses of hundreds of bucks being paid out in appreciate to the sport we’re alleging this befell 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 is involved.

Mr Dávila plays as an attacking midfielder and is 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.

A 27-year-old participant from Parramatta and a 32-year-old participant from West Hoxton have been additionally arrested.

Membership ‘surprised via arrests’

Macarthur FC said in a statement the club was “surprised” via the arrests

“Integrity of our recreation is a base pillar and we can paintings carefully with all related companies in this topic,” the club said.

Detectives from the organised crime squad are working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Sports Integrity Australia, Football Australia, Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Crime Commission.

The investigation is ongoing.