Overview

• Melbourne Magistrates' Court convicted ex-Western United midfielder Riku Danzaki and amateur player Yuta Hirayama and fined each of them $5,000 on Friday.
• Magistrate Nick Goodenough said the conduct "strikes at the heart of competitive sport" and imposed convictions to deter future betting corruption.
• Both men pleaded guilty to seven betting-corruption charges and one attempted betting fraud linked to a one-month spot‑fixing plan.
• Prosecutors said Danzaki told Hirayama he would seek bookings in Western United matches on April 27, May 3 and May 9, with bets placed on the "player to be booked" market and a later attempt involving Melbourne City failing.
• The scheme used agencies including Bet365 and Tabcorp, generated about $16,000 for Danzaki with a 70% share of winnings, and defence cited club financial strain and visa concerns in seeking leniency.