reported by the Adelaide News, the pair devised a scheme for Hirayama to place bets on Danzaki to receive yellow cards in A-League matches this year.
Danzaki deliberately received a yellow card for reckless tackles during two matches while playing for Western United. The first was against Sydney FC on April 27 and the second against Adelaide United on May 9.
Bets were also placed on Danzaki to receive a yellow card in a match against Auckland City on May 3. However, despite making two dangerous tackles in the 64th and 67th minutes, he only received warnings from the referee. He was then substituted in the 72nd minute, but his replacement, Abel Walatee, went on to receive a yellow card and sports betting platform bet365 paid out on the bet.
Prosecutor Alex Turner noted: “There is no allegation or suggestion Mr. Walatee was complicit or involved in the offending.”
As a result of the winning bets, the players were reported to have won nearly AU$16,000 ($10,000).
Players Arrested After Suspicions Raised
Suspicions had been raised, however, and police were notified of suspicious betting activity on May 21. The pair then attempted to place another bet of AU$1000 ($650) on a May 24 match, which was rejected.
After the Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit launched an investigation, the two men were arrested on May 30 and provided “full admissions” to the crime. Danzaki, though, initially heard the charges without entering a plea in July.
Danzaki ‘Profoundly Ashamed, Embarrassed, and Remorseful’
Danzaki’s lawyer, Lewis Winter, told the court that his client was “profoundly ashamed, embarrassed, and remorseful.” Danzaki has built a relatively successful professional career, which is now at risk due to the charges.
Winter added: “He accepts he’s undermined the integrity of the A-league competition and he’s undermined the integrity of these gambling markets. My client recognises he’s made a mistake which will have implications, perhaps severe implications, for his sporting career.”
Danzaki first moved to Australia in 2020, playing for the Brisbane Roar before signing with Western United in 2023. Winter said the club’s financial troubles led to his client’s “very foolish” and “out of character” actions.
Western United had their A-League license revoked last weekend over financial problems that led to the club not paying players on time.
Sentencing Coming, but Magistrate Won’t Impose Jail Time
Danzaki’s co-conspirator, Hirayama, also claimed financial problems had contributed to his involvement in the spot-fixing. Hirayama has had a less successful career and was plying his trade at the amateur level in Victoria, while supplementing his limited income by working as a food delivery driver.
An injury that left him unable to play soccer for two months in March was the catalyst for the scheme to make money with Danzaki. The 27-year-old’s lawyer, Molly Deighton, said it is unlikely he will ever play professional soccer after the charges. A lengthy ban from soccer is more likely to affect Danzaki, who, at 25 years old, still had the potential to play professionally for years to come.
However, Magistrate Nick Goodenough indicated that the two men would not face jail time for the offenses. They will be sentenced on August 22.
The case is similar to the recent spot-fixing allegations against Premier League player Lucas Paqueta. West Ham’s Brazilian midfielder, however, was cleared of the charges after a two-year case, during which he maintained his innocence. It had been rumored that Paqueta would be given a lifetime ban from the sport, and a potential transfer to Manchester City was cancelled as a result of the investigation.
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