Former All White lewis to be sentenced over A-League betting scandal
Sydney,Australia – Former New Zealand international footballer Marco Lewis is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event,stemming from a match-fixing scandal in AustraliaS A-League Men. The case centers around suspicious betting activity during a game between Macarthur FC and Sydney FC.
Lewis,27,alongside teammate Bastien Baccus,33,admitted to the charge,though their lawyers maintain they did not place any bets themselves and were unaware of the wagers. The pair’s defense argues they were exploited by Macarthur FC captain Ulises Davila, who is accused of orchestrating 50 suspicious bets through the international platform Betplay.
Lawyers for Lewis argued an “explicit targeting” of his known gambling weakness and a power imbalance with Davila were factors in his involvement. Gabrielle Bashir SC,Lewis’s lawyer,stated he “has carried the scorn of the nation” and that the repercussions will “indelibly follow him for the rest of his life.” Lewis’s legal team also noted there was no evidence he ever received or used AU$10,000 (NZ$11,200) allegedly paid to him by Davila.
The winning bets resulted in a payout exceeding AU$200,000 (NZ$223,510). While Baccus and Lewis were not accused of placing bets,Davila has been accused of being a conduit between the players and a Colombian criminal known as “J Col” and has not yet entered pleas to nine charges.
All three players were suspended by Macarthur FC following their arrests,and Davila and Baccus have since had their contracts terminated.
The case has prompted Macarthur FC to issue a statement calling for a “thorough review and reform of integrity protocols” within Australian football, citing “serious deficiencies” and inadequate systems to protect clubs.
Davila, a former A-League Men Johnny Warren Medal winner (2020/21), has faced personal tragedy, with the death of his wife, Lily Pacheco, in 2022.
Lewis and Baccus are due back in court on September 24, while Davila’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 25. Engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
