logo
Update in alleged A-League betting fraud

Update in alleged A-League betting fraud

Perth Now6 days ago
An offer to resolve charges against a former A-League soccer player accused of betting corruption has been rejected by prosecutors, a court has been told.
Riku Danzaki, 25, was arrested by police in late May amid an investigation into allegations of gambling corruption during the A-League season.
The Japanese-born player, who played 49 games with Western United until his contract finished at the end of the last season, was charged with 10 offences including four counts of engaging in conduct that would corrupt a betting outcome, four counts of facilitating corrupt conduct and using corrupt conduct information for betting. Riku Danzaki totalled six goals and 10 assists across 49 league games. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
At the time of his arrest, Victoria Police alleged four matches in April and May 2025 had been subject to 'player to be carded wagering manipulation'.
Mr Danzaki appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday morning with the assistance of a Japanese interpreter as lawyer Lewis Winter asked the court for a three week adjournment. He did not enter a plea.
Mr Winter told the court he'd put forward an offer to resolve the case with diversion, which allows some first-time accused people to avoid a criminal conviction by meeting conditions, and was awaiting a response from prosecutors.
'I would be seeking around three weeks,' he said.
'I am confident it would be considered by them.' Mr Danzaki attended court with his lawyer Lewis Winter (right). NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr Danzaki's case was adjourned by Magistrate Tara Hartnett until August 13.
But a few hours later, as a second soccer player accused of involvement in the alleged betting corruption, Yuta Hirayama, 27, appeared in court, a police prosecutor indicated diversion would not be accepted for Mr Danzaki.
'I've spoken to Mr Winter … diversion is not going to be on the table,' the prosecutor said.
Mr Hirayama, who played last season with the Bayside Argonauts after several years playing for clubs in Queensland, was arrested the same day as Mr Danzaki on May 30. Bayside Argonauts striker Yuta Hirayama is expected to return to court. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
He was charged with 16 offences including 11 counts of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes and four counts of facilitating conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome.
Lawyers acting for Mr Hirayama told the court the matter has been resolved with a plea however the case was stood down until the afternoon sitting.
Mr Hirayama is expected to return to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

British actor Micheal Ward charged with rape
British actor Micheal Ward charged with rape

The Advertiser

time2 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

British actor Micheal Ward charged with rape

BAFTA-nominated actor Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault. The 27-year-old, who has starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. The force said he is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on August 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Following the charges, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware said: "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward - we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports." The Jamaican-born actor was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his role in BBC's Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge in 2024 and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023. He is due to star in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK in August. BAFTA-nominated actor Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault. The 27-year-old, who has starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. The force said he is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on August 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Following the charges, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware said: "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward - we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports." The Jamaican-born actor was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his role in BBC's Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge in 2024 and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023. He is due to star in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK in August. BAFTA-nominated actor Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault. The 27-year-old, who has starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. The force said he is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on August 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Following the charges, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware said: "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward - we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports." The Jamaican-born actor was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his role in BBC's Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge in 2024 and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023. He is due to star in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK in August. BAFTA-nominated actor Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault. The 27-year-old, who has starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. The force said he is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on August 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Following the charges, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware said: "Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward - we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports." The Jamaican-born actor was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for his role in BBC's Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge in 2024 and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023. He is due to star in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK in August.

It's a long shot. But Sydney FC should be applauded for having a crack at Thomas Müller
It's a long shot. But Sydney FC should be applauded for having a crack at Thomas Müller

Sydney Morning Herald

time11 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

It's a long shot. But Sydney FC should be applauded for having a crack at Thomas Müller

Domestically, the Australian football economy continues to shrink. Club distributions are down from over $3 million per season to an all-time low of $530,000, and so most clubs don't even bother trying to sign big names. It's beyond them, and there is little appetite from club owners to dig their hands even further into their pockets. And when they do, they have to settle for the likes of Douglas Costa, who had already had his run through MLS by the time he washed up at the Sky Blues last season, but has proved to be a worthy signing, or Juan Mata, who was many years past his peak when Western Sydney Wanderers had the chance to grab him - as evidenced by his on-field output. Mata might yet return next season, but if he does, he'll be a luxury add-on for the Wanderers, rather than a key starting player. A-League clubs have largely pivoted towards bringing through academy players - and so they should. They've finally learned how to turn young, homegrown talent into sizeable transfer fees, and flipping kids for cash is the only way they can be sustainable in the long term. It's good for the game, too. It's a shift that is already benefiting the Socceroos and, in turn, will reinforce the A-League's legitimacy as a breeding ground and relevance for the many fans in Australia who follow European football but not the local product. The more that A-League alumni players can reach the top levels, the more it says to the unconverted that our competition is worth keeping a close eye on. But that can't be all that the A-League is, or will be. For one thing, those youngsters need to have hardened pros next to them in the dressing room to learn from. If the A-League was too reliant on experienced players in the past, it now runs the risk of going too far the other way. A careful balance has to be struck. Star power has always been the thing that moves the needle in this country, but it's never been more true than today. As mass culture continues to splinter into a million micro-niches, the need to have something - or someone - with cut-through power is critical. Müller is that sort of someone. And for every player who opts for the megabucks, there might be one per cent of them who are happy to forego those earnings for the glorious Australian lifestyle, of which the appeal to foreigners we sometimes underestimate because we're so lucky to experience it 24/7. Del Piero, don't forget, turned down more money elsewhere - and even a contract offer from Liverpool - because he was so attracted by the wonders of Sydney. Loading To ask the question of Müller is to send a message to the rest of the football world - and to sceptical local fans - that the A-League still has ambition. There's no risk in trying. In fact, the risk is not trying, and never knowing if he might have been the next Del Piero. At worst, you get a polite rejection. At best, you spark the sort of rare moment that can reignite interest in the domestic game, especially at a time when eyeballs are hard to win.

Detainee allegedly made hundreds of threats
Detainee allegedly made hundreds of threats

Perth Now

time14 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Detainee allegedly made hundreds of threats

Police have bemoaned the 'frustrating waste of resources' after an immigration detainee in Western Australia was charged over allegedly threatening phone calls. The Moroccan national, 45, was arrested at the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre on Thursday and charged with two offences of using carriage service to menace, harass or offend and using a carriage service to make threat to kill. According to the Australian Federal Police, the man allegedly made 297 offensive phone calls to the AFP over 54 days in April through July. This would be an average of 5.5 calls per day over the two-month period. The 45-year-old will return to court in September. Australian Federal Police. Credit: News Corp Australia AFP Detective Acting Inspector Karen Addiscott said the man's alleged calls could have disrupted or delayed genuine calls from being answered 'These types of calls not only impose a frustrating waste of resources for the agency targeted, they can be distressing and concerning for the people who answer them, even if they are not the direct target of the threats,' she said. The man appeared in the Perth Magistrates' Court on Friday where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance on September 12.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store