Shohei Ohtani Denies Making Sports Bets, Calls Ippei Mizuhara A Liar

Shohei Ohtani simply broke his silence on the playing scandal surrounding his former interpreter — and the Dodgers star was adamant he by no means positioned any sports activities bets.

The 29-year-old addressed the media on Monday afternoon for the primary time since Ippei Mizuhara was fired for allegedly utilizing among the baseball participant’s funds to gamble with an unlawful bookmaker.

Ohtani informed reporters by his new translator, Will Ireton, that he had no concept what was happening with the state of affairs up till a crew assembly following the Dodgers’ first recreation of the season final week in Korea.

He stated Ippei was stealing cash from his account and utilizing it to repay money owed … after which mendacity to him and others about Ohtani’s involvement in all of it.

“I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this,” Ohtani stated.

Ohtani — who did not take any questions through the assembly with reporters — added that he “never agreed to pay off the debt or make payments to the bookmaker.”

As we beforehand reported, Mizuhara — who labored as Ohtani’s translator for practically a decade — was fired by LA again on March 20 … after Ohtani’s attorneys accused him of stealing from the Dodgers star and playing with the cash.

The allegations have been fascinating to say the least … contemplating that, initially, Mizuhara had stated in an interview with ESPN that Ohtani gave him the funds with a view to cowl his playing debt.

Nevertheless, Mizuhara recanted that story hours later.

“I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting,” Mizuhara stated. “I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again.”