Aussie football club raided by police after alleged match-fixing – as official also faces drug charges

A semi-professional football club who compete in Victoria’s highest level under the A-League faces an uncertain future following allegations of match-fixing.

Police also charged a prominent club official from Dandenong Thunder with drug offences.

The bombshell development comes after a trio of A-League stars were arrested earlier this year after alleged ‘spot fixing’ in fixtures involving Macarthur FC.

Police allege former captain Ulises Dávila passed on $10,000 to a couple of his teammates to deliberately receive cautions during targeted matches.  

Davila, 33, was allegedly working with a suspected organised crime figure based in South America.

Bulls midfielder Kearyn Baccus and New Zealand international Clayton Lewis were stood down immediately pending the investigation, with the matter still before the courts.

Police also charged a club official from Dandenong Thunder with drug offences (pictured, the club’s home ground)

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any of the Thunder’s players or coaches are implicated in any illegal activity (stock image)

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Dandenong Thunder told the Star Journal the club was ‘deeply concerned’ about the allegations.

‘Dandenong Thunder is deeply concerned by allegations connected to our club,’ a statement read.

‘The club will not make any further statement whilst an investigation is ongoing.’

Daily Mail Australia understands police raided Dandenong Thunder’s clubrooms at George Andrews Reserve, as well as several nearby homes on December 11 to investigate suspected match-fixing.

Victoria Police confirmed Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit detectives and and Viper taskforce executed warrants at Dandenong addresses in Melbourne’s south-east in relation to ‘an ongoing investigation into a sporting club’.

It will be alleged the club has links to suspected organised crime figures.

No match-fixing charges appear to be have been laid at this stage.

A Dandenong man, 29, was charged with cultivating a narcotic plant, possessing a drug of dependence and failing to comply with an order to provide data from a storage device.

Another Dandenong man, 33 was charged with drug possession, with the pair bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

A third Dandenong man, 44, was arrested and released pending further inquiries, police said, with the investigation by anti-gang and sports corruption detectives ongoing.

Founded by Albanian migrants in the 1970s, the Thunder’s club membership is predominantly composed of Albanian Australians.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any of the Thunder’s players or coaches are implicated in any illegal activity.