Japanese footballer Riku Danzaki, 25, who plays as a midfielder for Melbourne’s A-League club Western United, has been arrested for alleged involvement in a betting scandal, Australian authorities confirmed.
Danzaki is suspected of deliberately receiving yellow cards during matches to influence betting outcomes, according to Victoria Police and local media reports. He has been charged with 10 offences relating to incidents spanning four matches between April and May.
Danzaki was arrested last Friday alongside another man but has since been released on bail. Both are scheduled to appear in court on July 31.
Hailing from Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan, Danzaki gained early recognition as a high school football star, winning a national championship with the prestigious Aomori Yamada High School.
He made his professional debut in 2019 with J-League first division club Consadole Sapporo, later playing for J2’s JEF United Chiba and Scottish side Motherwell. Danzaki has enjoyed notable success in Australia’s A-League, initially on loan with Brisbane Roar and more recently with Western United, which he joined in 2023.
The case marks a significant scandal in Australian football, as authorities continue to investigate match manipulation in the league.
