Two Melbourne soccer players front court over betting allegations

Two Melbourne-based soccer players have fronted court to face a raft of match-fixing charges amid allegations one of them deliberately elicited yellow cards to manipulate the outcome of online bets as part of an elaborate fraud scheme.

Japanese-born Western United A-League midfielder Riku Danzaki has been charged with 10 offences, including allegations he deliberately received a yellow card during a match between Western United Football Club and Sydney Football Club on April 27 as part of an illegal betting ring.

Riku Danzaki (left) arrives at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Credit: AAPIMAGE

Danzaki, 25, whose contract was not extended by Western United at the end of the 2025 season, is also accused of attempting to profit from the scheme by placing a bet in an attempt to win thousands of dollars.

He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where his lawyer asked for him to be considered for a diversion program to avoid criminal conviction.

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