Macarthur Bulls FC Statement on Guilty Pleas of Former Players
Macarthur Bulls FC acknowledges the guilty pleas entered by former players Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis in relation to criminal charges heard today at Campbelltown Court.
The Club reiterates that it had no role in any wrongdoing and has maintained its commitment to due process and confidentiality throughout the duration of the legal proceedings. As such, the Club has been unable to comment publicly until now.
At the time the allegations surfaced, Macarthur Bulls FC acted decisively to terminate the contracts of Clayton Lewis and Uliises Davila in accordance with the A-League Code of Conduct. Kearyn Baccus contract ended in June 2024. Today’s developments confirm the Club’s actions were both appropriate and justified.
However, the handling of this matter by Football Australia and the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) left the Club significantly exposed – both reputationally and financially. The Club incurred substantial legal expenses in defending its rightful decision to dismiss Clayton Lewis and also suffered material losses in sponsorship revenue due to the uncertainty and inability to publicly respond.
Macarthur Bulls FC has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal activity within its playing group, coaching staff, or wider workforce. We expect all players and personnel to uphold the values of honesty, accountability, and professionalism.
This case has also exposed serious deficiencies in the current integrity processes and regulations governing professional football in Australia. The systems in place are inadequate to protect clubs from risk and lack the responsiveness required to manage issues of this magnitude. A comprehensive review and reform of integrity protocols is urgently required to safeguard the future of the game.
Macarthur Bulls FC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct, and we will continue to work with our partners, members, and the broader football community to build a culture of trust and integrity.
