The fallout from the A-League betting scandal could cost Clayton Lewis a World Cup berth
New Zealand All Whites stalwart Ben Sigmund fears the “damage” New Zealand international Clayton Lewis has caused to his promising career following his arrest for alleged betting corruption.
Lewis, 27, was one of three Macarthur FC players arrested on Friday for alleged yellow-card manipulation in A-League matches this season after an investigation by NSW police.
Macarthur’s Mexican captain Ulises Davila, who was also a teammate of Lewis’ at Wellington Phoenix, and Bulls midfielder Kearyn Baccus were also arrested. Davila never played senior level football for Mexico, while Baccus’ only time in an Australian squad was at Under 17 level. Their futures in the A-League are now under a cloud.
But Lewis, a former Olympian, was set to be named in New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming Oceania Nations Cup.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW
He was also on track to play at the 2026 World Cup, with the All Blacks expected to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament that now guarantees a spot for an Oceania nation.
However the World Cup dream of Lewis, who was charged with engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event amid allegations by police he shared in at least $10,000 in payments, now seems all but over.
“Clayton Lewis has done a great job in terms of getting himself into the A-League and back into the All Whites,” former Phoenix and New Zealand defender Sigmund told the Newstalk ZB radio program.
“What damage this might do, I don’t know.
“It will be interesting to see what plays out now. It’s people’s careers in terms of these young players.
“It makes me upset, it makes me sad. I’m just gutted.”
Clayton Lewis was arrested for his alleged role in betting corruption. Source: NSW Police, , Credit: Supplied
“What damage this might do, I don’t know.
“It will be interesting to see what plays out now. It’s people’s careers in terms of these young players.
“It makes me upset, it makes me sad. I’m just gutted.”
“It’s really sad to hear and I’m devastated.
“You just know that you stay away from that stuff. Don’t go near it, don’t even get tempted to go near it.”
Lewis has made 27 appearances for the All Whites, debuting in the senior national team as a teenager in 2015.
He made 26 A-League appearances for Macarthur this season after spending the previous three years with the Phoenix.
Lewis was also part of the New Zealand under-23 team that competed at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.