A Japanese footballer playing on an Australian A-League team has been arrested for alleged involvement in a betting scandal, Australian authorities said.
Riku Danzaki of Western United celebrates a goal during a match against Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford, Australia, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Getty/Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Riku Danzaki, 25, a midfielder for Melbourne-based A-League club Western United, is suspected of deliberately receiving yellow cards during matches to manipulate betting outcomes, local media said.
According to Victoria Police and local media, Danzaki has been charged with 10 offences committed across four matches between April and May. He was arrested last Friday alongside another man and has since been released on bail. The pair are due to appear in court on July 31.
A native of Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, Danzaki was a high school football star in Japan, winning a national championship with renowned talent factory Aomori Yamada High School.
The midfielder made his professional debut in 2019 for Consadole Sapporo, playing in the J-League first division, before stints with clubs including J2 outfit JEF United Chiba and Scottish side Motherwell.
Danzaki found his greatest success in Australian football’s top division, the A-League, first while on loan to Brisbane Roar, and most recently with Western United, who he joined in 2023.
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