Former All White Clayton Lewis has been discharged without conviction for his role in what's become one of Australia's biggest sports corruption scandals.
The Kiwi footballer and a team mate, Kearyn Baccus, admitted they were paid AU$10,000 (NZ$11,200) each to deliberately get yellow-carded during an A-League match on December 9, 2023, when they were playing for Sydney club MacArthur FC.
He was arrested for his role in the scheme last May.
In July this year, Lewis pleaded guilty to a corruption charge.
The court heard last week how the 28-year-old had a gambling addiction, with the defence arguing Lewis had already suffered significant punishment, having most likely lost any future footballing prospects, with Football Australia seeking a lifetime ban.
Magistrate Michael Blair, who was overseeing the hearing, delayed handing down his sentence until this afternoon.
Lewis and Baccus were each sentenced in a Sydney community court to two-year community release orders without conviction – meaning the pair must not commit any further offences if they do not want to face a more serious penalty.
Lewis was also ordered to pay back the AU$10,000 (NZ$11,200) he received.
Blair said while his offending was reckless, it was at the low end of the spectrum.
The 28-year-old admitted to being paid $11,200 for referee-issued cautions for foul play in 2023. (Source: 1News)
The former All White made no comment to media as he left court.
Police allege Lewis was yellow-carded under instruction from the team's former captain Ulises Davila, who was acting as a point man a South American crime syndicate.
Davila has yet to enter any pleas.
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