Four players have been handed multi-year bans from all football-related activity after being found guilty of match-fixing offences in Australia’s A-League. The sanctions, issued by Football Australia, mark a major disciplinary action aimed at safeguarding the integrity of professional soccer in the country.

Banned Players and Their Offences

The two Macarthur FC players involved, Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis, were paid A$10,000 (£4,940) each to deliberately get booked in a match against Sydney FC in December 2023.

Both players had previously been sentenced to a two-year conditional release order in September 2024 and are now banned for five years, effective from May 2024. They also agreed to complete 200 hours of unpaid football-related community service, reducing their bans by 12 months.

Meanwhile, Riku Danzaki and his compatriot Yuta Hirayama were sanctioned with seven-year bans, starting in June 2025. Danzaki, a former Western United midfielder, admitted to deliberately earning yellow cards in multiple A-League games in April and May, receiving A$16,000 (£7,900) from bets placed by Hirayama, an amateur player.

All four players accepted the bans and declined to appeal, signaling acknowledgement of the serious nature of their misconduct.

Football Australia’s Response

Football Australia confirmed the decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting the integrity of Australian football. Match-fixing and betting-related offences are treated with the highest severity, reflecting both domestic and international standards for ethical play.

“Integrity in football is non-negotiable,” a Football Australia spokesperson said. “These sanctions send a clear message that attempts to manipulate match outcomes will not be tolerated.”

Implications for the A-League

These cases have cast a spotlight on the vulnerability of professional leagues to betting-related corruption, particularly in scenarios involving individual player misconduct. Football Australia has also reviewed its education and monitoring programs, aiming to prevent future breaches.

The bans are among the longest in A-League history and could have lasting effects on the players’ careers. Baccus, Lewis, Danzaki, and Hirayama will be excluded from professional football, coaching, and other official activities during the sanction period.

Looking Forward

Football Australia continues to monitor integrity risks in the A-League and is working closely with law enforcement to ensure that incidents like this are minimized. The governing body is committed to upholding fairness, transparency, and accountability in Australian soccer.