Ex-Western United player Riku Danzaki avoids jail after admitting to illegal betting scheme
Danzaki, who was released at the end of last season by embattled club Western United, pocketed $16,000 from bets his friend placed in April and May.
Defence lawyer Lewis Winter told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday that Danzaki was "profoundly ashamed", with the offending occurring when the club "was not paying their players on time".
Cash-strapped Western United went into administration over the weekend, and its A-League licence was revoked.
However, Magistrate Nick Goodenough said he would "not be considering prison" for the 25-year-old, who planned to return to Japan.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard Danzaki and friend Yuta Hirayama manipulated the yellow card betting market on April 27, May 3 and May 9 this year.
Prosecutor Alex Turner said Hirayama placed bets on matches Danzaki participated in, wagering on him being booked and the total number of yellow cards in the games.
In the April 27 match against Sydney FC, Danzaki flew into a tackle just before the half-time break, catching an opponent on the ankle and leaving him writhing in pain.
Danzaki rose to his feet and apologised to the Sydney player and the referee, before playing on.
Mr Turner said Danzaki "deliberately tried to get a yellow card" against Auckland FC on May 3 by twice kicking out at opponents.
Danzaki was substituted, but he and Hirayama still collected winnings, because the replacement player was yellow-carded, the court heard.
Mr Turner said there was no suggestion the substitute was involved in any wrongdoing.
On May 9, Danzaki deliberately got himself carded against Adelaide United during the A-League semi-final, Mr Turner said.
Failed attempts were made to place bets on another match involving Melbourne City, the court heard.
Mr Turner said Hirayama transferred the illegal winnings to Danzaki's bank account and handed him cash during meet-ups around suburban Melbourne.
The prosecutor said betting agencies detected suspicious bets and contacted police.
Police discovered incriminating conversations on the Line messaging app, and the pair made "full admissions" after being arrested on May 30, the court heard.
Mr Winter said his client had "dishonoured his family" and was suspended from playing.
He said the significant media attention the case attracted in Australia and Japan was further punishment.
Western United lauded Danzaki as a player known for his "quick feet and tactical intelligence" when the club signed him in 2023.
He went on to make 49 appearances in the A-League, scoring six goals, and four appearances in the Australia Cup.
He previously played for Scottish club Motherwell, Brisbane Roar, and Japanese side Sapporo.
Hirayama, a student and suburban football player with the Bayside Argonauts, also pleaded guilty to seven charges related to the scheme.
His lawyer Molly Deighton said the offending was "out of character" and that he made about $5,000 from the illegal wagers.
Danzaki and Hirayama will be sentenced on August 22.
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