Tokyo 2020 director of communications and engagement Hidetoshi Fujisawa has condemned the actions of three Japanese players involved in illegal betting ©ICRC

Tokyo 2020 executive director of communications and engagement Hidetoshi Fujisawa has condemned three Japanese baseball players at the centre of an illegal betting scandal but claimed the scandal will not hamper the sport's chances of inclusion at the Olympic Games in five years' time.

Satoshi Fukuda, Shoki Kasahara and Ryuya Matsumoto, who all play for Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) side Yomiuri Giants, based in the Japanese capital, have been found to have bet on matches, despite gambling being illegal in Japan.

The League prohibits players from betting on matches, with NPB Commissioner Katsuhiko Kumazaki describing the situation as “regrettable”.

The three pitchers have, however, denied claims they deliberately lost matches for their own personal gain, with an investigative panel due to publish a report on the matter within the next month.

The development comes as baseball and softball look likely to regain its place on the Olympic Programme after the Tokyo 2020 Additional Events Programme Panel put the sport forward for inclusion at the Games along with karate, sport climbing, surfing and skateboarding.

Fujisawa has lambasted the players involved, though he claims the debacle will not have an impact on baseball’s chances of being reinstated to the Olympics following its exclusion after Beijing 2008, despite a key element of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) proposal leaning heavily on the sport’s popularity in the Asian nation.

Satoshi Fukuda is one of three Japanese baseball players to have been found to have illegally bet on matches
Satoshi Fukuda is one of three Japanese baseball players to have been found to have illegally bet on matches ©Getty Images

“We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms,” he said.

"We would like the relevant authorities to exert the utmost efforts in its investigation of this matter and implement the necessary measures to ensure that these types of illegal practices are completely eradicated.

“This issue threatens the integrity of sport and the trust of baseball fans and society in general.

“Baseball is an extremely popular sport in Japan and we believe that its inclusion would greatly add to the value of the 2020 Games.

“We will further strengthen our collaborations with the baseball authorities, demonstrate our firm commitment to ensuring the integrity of sport in Japan, and work towards the formal adoption of baseball to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Programme.”

The International Olympic Committee is due to vote on which sports it wants included at Tokyo 2020 at its Session in Rio de Janeiro next year.

insidethegames has contacted the WBSC for comment.



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