Soccer players admit A-League corrupt bets
Riku Danzaki, 25, and his co-offender Yuta Hirayama, 27, faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday where they each pleaded guilty to seven betting corruption charges.
Together the pair placed bets on Danzaki, then a midfielder for Western United, to receive a caution during four top-level games in April and May this year.
Outlining the case, prosecutor Alex Turner said they pair had met and become friends in Brisbane while playing soccer for different teams. Danzaki deliberately received a yellow card during the A-League elimination final on May 9. Supplied. Credit: Supplied
Danzaki had emigrated to Australia and joined the Brisbane Roar A-League side in November 2020, while Hirayama arrived in January that year and played for several sides in the Football Queensland Premier League.
Danzaki moved to Victoria to join Western United in July 2023 and his mate followed a year later, last playing for the Bayside Argonauts.
The court was told the pair cooked up a scheme for Hirayama to place bets on Danzaki receiving a yellow card, through which the duo won nearly $16,000.
After bets were placed, Mr Turner said Danzaki deliberately received a yellow card for reckless tackles during an April 27 match against Sydney FC and a May 9 match up with Adelaide United.
Mr Turner told the court bets were placed for Danzaki to be carded on a May 4 match with Auckland FC but, despite two dangerous tackles at the 64th and 67th minutes, he only received warnings from the referee.
'At the 72nd minute Danzaki was substituted out of the match and replaced,' the prosecutor said. The court was told Danzaki was ashamed and remorseful. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr Turner said the substitute, Abel Walatee, received a yellow card in the 79th minute and Bet365 paid out the bets.
'There is no allegation or suggestion Mr Walatee was complicit or involved in the offending,' Mr Turner said.
The two men attempted to place a $1000 bet on a fourth match, the May 22 semi-final against Melbourne City FC, but the bet was rejected and Danzaki did not attempt to get a yellow card.
Mr Turner told the court police were notified of suspicious betting activity on May 21 and Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit launched a probe.
The two men were arrested on May 30 and provided 'full admissions' to the crime, he said.
Danzaki's lawyer Lewis Winter told the court his client was profoundly ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful.
'He accepts he's undermined the integrity of the A-league competition and he's undermined the integrity of these gambling markets,' he said.
'My client recognises he's made a mistake which will have implications, perhaps severe implications, for his sporting career.' Danzaki with Lewis Winter. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr Winter told the court Danzaki has a wife and young daughter who had returned to Japan and his goal was to join them as soon as possible.
Describing the offending as 'very foolish' and 'out of character', Mr Winter explained Mr Danzaki had been under financial and personal stress from his job and young family.
He told the court Western United, which has had its licence revoked by Football Australia at the weekend, was not paying their players on time and not paying superannuation due to 'quite significant financial strain'.
'My client accepts and recognises he has dishonoured himself and dishonoured his family,' he said.
'He recognises his career is in jeopardy.'
Hirayama's lawyer, Molly Deighton, echoed Mr Winter's submissions, saying her client had taken full responsibility and pleaded guilty at a very early stage.
She told the court her client had been playing at the amateur level in Victoria and was earning about $700 a game, working as food delivery driver to support himself. The lawyer told the court her client made the 'very poor decision' to engage in the corrupt betting after a hamstring injury left him unable to play soccer for two months in March. Hirayama hopes to remain in Australia. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
Ms Deighton said her client recognises his behaviour was unacceptable and had since moved onto a student visa and was hoping to remain in Australia.
'He too is unsure if he will be able to play soccer again, certainly at a paid level that remains unlikely at this stage,' she said.
Magistrate Nick Goodenough indicated he would not be jailing the two men for the offending.
They will return to court on August 22 for sentencing.
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