Latest news with #spotfixing
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Banned cricketer Brendan Taylor set to play against Black Caps
Photo: PHOTOSPORT Banned Zimbabwe cricketer Brendan Taylor is set to play the Test series against the Black Caps next month. Taylor wasn't included in the Zimbabwe Test squad named on Tuesday for the two-match series in Bulawayo, however reports suggest he will be added. Taylor was given a three-and-a-half year ban for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code. In 2022 Taylor was banned after admitting he received a $15,000 "deposit" for spot-fixing. At the time Taylor said he was blackmailed and never went through with the arrangement and that he was coerced into accepting the money from an Indian businessman in October 2019. Spot-fixing refers to manipulation of part of a game to deliver a given outcome for betting purposes. In addition to four breaches of the ICC anti-corruption code, Taylor was also charged with breaching the anti-doping code after testing positive for the stimulant benzoylecognine, a cocaine metabolite, in an in-competition test conducted on 8 September 2021. Taylor, who played for Zimbabwe in 34 tests, 205 one-dayers and 45 T20s, retired from international cricket soon afterwards. He considered going into coaching but recently revealed he felt he still had something to offer as a player with the hope of playing in the 2027 World Cup. With his ban expiring on Saturday, Cricinfo is reporting that the 39 year old will then be added to the Zimbabwe squad. The first Test against New Zealand starts on 30 July.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Update in A-League betting scandal
Two former A-League players have admitted to their involvement in a spot fixing scheme during a series of matches last year by earning yellow cards. Ex-Bulls teammates Ulises Davila, Clayton Lewis and Kearyn Baccus were arrested last year for betting corruption linked to a South American criminal figure. Former Macarthur FC captain Davila, is facing a string of nine charges relating to a total of six A-League games. Among those charges are four counts of facilitating conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, three counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group and participating in a criminal group/ contribute to criminal activity. He has not yet entered any pleas. Lewis and Baccus were both charged with one count each of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event and participating in a criminal group. Lewis and Baccus attended the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, and both pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event. That charges carries a maximum penalty of ten years' jail, Magistrate Rami Attia reminded the two men in court on Thursday. The second charge of participating in a criminal group/ contribute to criminal activity was withdrawn. Lewis had previously pleaded not guilty, however, after ongoing negotiations with the DPP, those pleas were withdrawn. Their co-accused, Mr Davila, did not attend and has not entered any plea. Following Mr Davila's arrest the soccer player was alleged to have organised to manipulate yellow cards against Melbourne Victory on November 24 and against Sydney FC on December 9 in 2023. Mr Davila and the club agreed to a 'mutual termination' of his contract following his arrest. It is alleged Lewis and Baccus were paid up to $10,000 by Mr Davila, who was directed by a South American contact. All three players remain on bail. Lewis and Baccus will return to court for sentencing on September 17. Davila will return to court in August. More to come …
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Three A-League players front court over yellow card betting scandal
Two former A-League players have admitted to their involvement in a spot fixing scheme during a series of matches last year by earning yellow cards. Ex-Bulls teammates Ulises Davila, Clayton Lewis and Kearyn Baccus were arrested last year for betting corruption linked to a South American criminal figure. Former Macarthur FC captain Davila, is facing a string of nine charges relating to a total of six A-League games. Among those charges are four counts of facilitating conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, three counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event, knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group and participating in a criminal group/ contribute to criminal activity. He has not yet entered any pleas. Lewis and Baccus were both charged with one count each of engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event and participating in a criminal group. Lewis and Baccus attended the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, and both pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event. The second charge of participating in a criminal group/ contribute to criminal activity was withdrawn. Lewis had previously pleaded not guilty, however, after ongoing negotiations with the DPP, those pleas were withdrawn. Their co-accused, Mr Davila, did not attend and has not entered any plea. Following Mr Davila's arrest the soccer player was alleged to have organised to manipulate yellow cards against Melbourne Victory on November 24 and against Sydney FC on December 9 in 2023. Mr Davila and the club agreed to a 'mutual termination' of his contract following his arrest. It is alleged Lewis and Baccus were paid up to $10,000 by Mr Davila, who was directed by a South American contact.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
West Ham fuming with FA as Lucas Paqueta spot-fixing case closes in on two years without a verdict
WEST HAM are furious Lucas Paqueta's spot- fixing case has been allowed to drag on into another season. The Hammers star, 27, will begin pre-season tomorrow with the cloud of a life-changing ban hanging over his head. 2 An FA investigation started in AUGUST 2023. The midfielder's hearing finally began in March this year and concluded last month. But both the player and West Ham are still awaiting a verdict. The case has taken an emotional toll on the Brazil international, who was reduced to tears following a yellow card against Tottenham in May. Paqueta was charged with four counts of spot-fixing in May last year after being accused of deliberately getting booked in Prem games. Bets across multiple bookies were traced back to Paqueta Island in Brazil where he grew up. Paqueta denies any wrongdoing and maintains his innocence. The FA investigation scuppered an £85million move to Manchester City in the summer of 2023. 2 And Paqueta's form has noticeably declined as the case rumbled on. At the end of last season, Hammers boss Graham Potter said: 'It's taken its toll on him.' Lyon man to raise funds.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta is baptised as he anxiously awaits verdict for spot-fixing trial which could see him face LIFETIME ban
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been baptised amid an anxious wait for the result of his FA spot-fixing trial. The Brazilian has been awaiting a verdict for nearly two years after an investigation into whether he intentionally collected cautions in four Premier League fixtures began in August 2023. Paqueta was charged by the FA in May 2024 and could face a lifetime ban if he is found guilty. The trial cost the 27-year-old a £80million move to Manchester City and West Ham boss Graham Potter admitted it had taken a mental and physical toll on the midfielder. He insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing and his wife Maria Fournier previously claimed the couple have been 'living this nightmare for two years'. The trial finally concluded last week but West Ham were warned it could take another four to eight weeks for Paqueta's fate to be revealed. The 27-year-old was baptised amid an anxious wait for the result of this spot-fixing trial As he nervously waits to see if his Premier League career is over, Paqeuta was baptised in front of his wife and Flamengo forward Pedro Guilherme. Wife Fournier shared snaps of the baptism, which took place in a swimming pool, alongside the caption: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, EVERYTHING HAS BECOME NEW! 'My husband was born again!!' Paqueta's trial has been described as the most high‑profile corruption case in English football since Bruce Grobbelaar was acquitted of conspiring to fix five Premier League games in a criminal trial 27 years ago. The attacking midfielder could be banned for life if the panel examining the evidence decide he was involved in a conspiracy to collect cards in order to influence betting outcomes. While there is not yet any indication over whether he will be found innocent or guilty once the verdict arrives, West Ham sources have long feared the odds are stacked against them due to the FA's standard of proof being based on a 'balance of probabilities', which is usual in civil cases, as opposed to the more rigorous 'beyond a reasonable doubt' for those accused of criminal offences. Paqueta broke down in tears during one home game with Tottenham towards the end of last season when he received a yellow card, in a sign of the toll being taken on him. He did not start another game for West Ham under manager Potter after that Spurs incident. Mail Sport revealed that Paqueta was being investigated on August 18, 2023 and the FA formally charged him on May 23, 2024 with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing their investigation. Insiders say Paqueta mentally built himself up for the beginning of his hearing on March 17, originally believing it would last no longer than three weeks. However, the scale of the evidence being evaluated meant it was not concluded within that timeframe, and further complications arose when it had to be placed on hiatus, seemingly because of scheduling issues surrounding those involved.
