Two men, including a Western United player, have been charged following an investigation into alleged betting corruption on A-League football matches.
9News understands that Riku Danzaki is the player accused, facing 10 charges linked to betting manipulation in four A-League fixtures held in April and May this year.
Police allege he deliberately collected yellow or red cards during games to influence the outcomes of online wagers.
Riku Danzaki of Western United controls the ball during the A-League men’s semi-final between Melbourne City and Western United at AAMI Park, on May 24, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit detained a 24-year-old man from West Melbourne and a 27-year-old from Kingsville on Friday.
The West Melbourne man is facing 10 offences.
These include engaging in conduct that corrupts or could corrupt a betting outcome (x4), facilitating corrupt conduct influencing a betting result (x4), using corrupt conduct information for betting, and attempting to commit an indictable crime.
The Kingsville man has been charged with 16 offences.
These charges include using corrupt conduct information for betting (x11), facilitating betting corruption (x4), and attempting to commit an indictable crime.
Both men were released on bail and are scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 31 July.
According to police, detectives from the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit worked in cooperation with Football Australia throughout the investigation.
