Two more players could be involved in the Australian football match-fixing case that has already resulted in three Macarthur FC players being charged. (More Football News)
Midfielder Kearyn Baccus appeared in court Thursday to face charges relating to an illegal betting plot to receive yellow cards during A-League mat𝐆ches in return for payment.
He was arrested on May 17 along with team captain Ulises Davila and teammate Clayton Lewis. All three were granted bail and were suspended by Football Australia under its code of conduct regulations.
Documents produced in Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday revealed that two other players are accused of participating in a criminal grouꦑp.
Football ℱAustralia issued a 🐼statement saying it was aware of the allegations but added that one of the players whose identity was revealed was not a suspect in the case.
“Foo🐠tball Australia acknowledges the enquiries regarding the potential involvement of other Macarthur FC players in the betting allegations ... ” the statement saiꦦd.
“It is imp🔜ortant to note that (the player mentioned) is not regarded as ♔a suspect and is currently not under investigation.
“Football Australia takes these�🍸� matters seriously and is committed to cooperating fully with the authorities.”
The New South Wales state police organized crime squad launched Strike Force ✃Beaconview to investigate last December with the help of Britain-based officials after suspicious spot-fixing betting patterns were identified.
Police have previously said a fourth Macarthur FC player was wanted for questioning but was not in New Soutꦏh Wale♕s state at the time of the arrests.
The Australian Associated Press reported that Baccus did not speak dur🐠ing the brief mention of his case in the Campbelltown court in southwest Sydney and did not indicate how he would plead.
H🐟is case was adjourned to June 24, when he is due to appear at Sydney's Do𓆏wning Centre Local Court.
Investigators have ꧟alleged t🐠he yellow cards, which are issued by referees as cautions for foul or illegal play, were manipulated during games played last November and December.
All th🦂ree accused players received yellow cards in a Dec 9 game ﷽against Sydney FC.
Investigators also allege unsuccessful attempts wer🌺e made to do the same thing during matches on April 20 and May 4.
When the charges were laid, Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said the players had “bꩵetrayed the trust of their supporters and the code.💟”
Macarthur FC has been in the A-League men's compet💫ition since the 2020-21 season. The league has 11 clubs based in Australia and one in New Zealand.
Macarthur finished in fifth place during the re⛦gular season.
