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Two Melbourne-based footballers have faced court over an alleged match-fixing operation involving yellow cards, with police accusing them of attempting to profit from rigged bets with returns totalling over $18,000.
Riku Danzaki, 25, a former Western United midfielder in the A-League, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday facing 10 charges related to corrupt betting conduct. He allegedly received yellow cards in four games across April and May this year, actions which prosecutors claim were deliberate and tied to a betting scheme.
Court documents allege that Danzaki placed a bet, backing himself to receive a yellow card during an April 27 match against Sydney FC.
“It is alleged he used information to place the bet knowing he ‘would deliberately receive a yellow card, and knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, the information was about conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome’.”
He is also accused of attempting to land another windfall by trying to place a bet for a match, where he allegedly again intended to pick up a yellow card against Melbourne City. Prosecutors claim he “entered into an agreement or arrangement” for financial gain through corrupt betting practices.
Danzaki’s lawyer has submitted a request for his client to be considered for a court diversion program, which, if accepted by prosecutors and approved by a magistrate, could allow him to avoid a criminal conviction. The matter was adjourned until mid-August to allow prosecutors time to review the proposal.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Bayside Argonauts striker Yuta Hirayama also appeared in court on Monday. He has been charged with over a dozen offences in connection with the same scheme, including allegations he bet on matches in which Danzaki was handed yellow cards.
Both players were placed under “no-fault interim suspensions” by Football Australia following the charges.
Danzaki and Hirayama have not yet entered any formal pleas and remain on bail. Both are scheduled to reappear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 13.
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