Former All White Faces Sentencing in Major Spot-Fixing Case

A former All Whites midfielder appeared in a New South Wales court on Wednesday to face sentencing for his involvement in a significant sports corruption scandal in Australia. The player, whose identity is Lewis, was present alongside his former teammate Kearyn Baccus, both of whom pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct that corrupted a betting outcome.

The allegations stem from a “yellow-card manipulation racket” purportedly orchestrated by the team’s former captain, Ulises Davila. The court proceedings revealed that Lewis and Baccus each entered guilty pleas in July. However, Magistrate Michael Blair decided to adjourn the hearing until next Wednesday to consider lengthy submissions from Lewis’ legal team.

Lewis’ attorneys, Zemarai Khatiz and Gabrielle Bashir, are advocating for a community release order of two years, arguing against the entry of a conviction. Bashir emphasized Lewis’ low level of moral culpability, stating that he was “targeted and exploited” due to his known gambling addiction. She argued that there was a significant power imbalance between Lewis and Davila, who held a position of influence over him.

The court learned that since his involvement in the scandal, Lewis has been diagnosed with a gambling addiction and is currently receiving treatment. His mental health has also suffered significantly following his arrest in May 2022, when police executed a raid on his apartment while he and his partner were asleep. Bashir described the incident, noting that images of Lewis being arrested circulated widely, contributing to his distress.

In contrast, Davila, who is alleged to be the “point man” for a South American crime figure, has not yet entered a plea on the nine charges against him. He is scheduled to return to court later this month.

Bashir further detailed the toll the scandal has taken on Lewis, highlighting that he has been diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the arrest. She stated that Lewis has already faced considerable punishment and “will indelibly follow him for the rest of his life.”

The prosecution is seeking a community correction order for both Lewis and Baccus, urging the magistrate to consider the implications of not entering convictions for the offenses. The outcome of the case could send a powerful message to the football community regarding the integrity of sports in Australia.