Former NRL star Blake Ferguson has lifted the lid on his month-long stint in a Japanese prison, following his arrest in January on the eve of his first match in the Japan League One.
The 31-year old, who headed overseas after 249 games in the NRL for Cronulla, Canberra, Sydney and Parramatta, was jailed and had a multi-million dollar contract torn up by NEC Green Rockets, after being found in possession of cocaine following an alleged assault at a restaurant in Tokyo.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield, Ferguson detailed the ‘really lonely and boring’ 29 days he had behind bars at the Azabu Police station in Tokyo.
“Time goes really slow when you’re locked up for a month,” Ferguson said.
“I didn’t hear anything from Australia because I didn’t have access to a phone. No contact with my family and no contact with my manager.
“It was just me and some Japanese guys who couldn’t speak English. I read a few books but that was about it. The food was pretty ordinary and I got a really bad back.
“Seriously, the mattress would have been a centimetre thick. I could hardly stand up for a few days.
“I certainly wouldn’t want to go back.”
(Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
However, he admitted he only had himself to blame for the ordeal.
“I got myself into this mess and there’s no-one else to blame,” Ferguson said.
“I had too much to drink and put myself into a really s—ty situation.
“Other than that I can’t say much about the case but I’m hopeful it will work out okay.”
However, the interview has already received backlash from the public, with Rothfield accused of portraying Ferguson as the victim.
Ferguson remains in Japan awaiting trial, with his day in court scheduled for March 3, before receiving his sentence in the fortnight thereafter.
Japan has some of the world’s most severe anti-drug policies, but Ferguson hopes a guilty plea will allow him to return to Australia once the trial concludes.
“I’m going to plead guilty and hopefully they will show some leniency. It’s important that I accept responsibility,” Ferguson told Rothfield.
“It’s been almost six months since I left… I’ve desperately missed my little girl, my boys and my partner.
“I’m just hoping to be home for my birthday on the 20th of March.”
While Ferguson’s return will inevitably lead to speculation over an NRL return – especially with his replacement as Eels winger, Haze Dunster, suffering a season-ending knee injury in a trial match – his manager told Rothfield no plans are in place.
“I don’t know what interest is out there because we haven’t gone to the clubs,” Ayoub said.
“Our priority is to get Blake home to his family and then take it from there.”
robertbrob13226
Roar Rookie
That’s like Barrett saying Pangi Jnr to be aggressive but be smarter about it
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Haha I was referring more to the fact that rugby players have had a share of players being arrested too. Too much money and too much free time.
Pete
Guest
Send back to the leaguies not sure why he went to rugby although I heard most NRL clubs didn't want hi tooo much trouble....
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
You are correct Jacko. I was talking rubbish. NZ are Rugby masters as well as being capable of beating Australia at League.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Plenty of RU players have had coke issues in France from memory Phil. I think its a sports issue as they have money and they have plenty of free time.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No Tim they are called “Internationals” and I can assure you that sports stars get in trouble no matter what sport they play. Sadly there is the good the bad and the ugly in every aspect of life and therefore every high profile sport too. I must admit I havnt heard of any Waterpolo players getting in trouble but of course with Steve roaches son playing its always a possibility LOL.
Nick
Roar Guru
The point is that once you do something that is court worthy either here or in Japan, the system takes a dim view of you.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Nick in Aus the top ten most harmful drugs are 9 prescription drugs and Heroine. Cocaine aint that harmful in a social situation and is the choice of the wealthy anyway. The abuse side of drugs is the problem not the social use side and Coke is to dear for the addicted generally. Im not saying it should be legal but the crime isnt perhaps as bad as they make it out to be.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Nick I think he wouldnt get much for what he did in Aus but in Japan its considered far worse than here.
Nat
Roar Guru
You thought you had to write the same thing 2x in 5minutes? I'm guessing you got a sporting scholarship to your private school. Not really bright but I bet you can lift heavy things? :thumbup:
Nat
Roar Guru
Really? The NRL didn't want him before this that's why he's playing union. What you call "pedestal", the rest of us call more than 10 viewers. You'll get back there one day.
Nick
Roar Guru
You only think they deserve sympathy because YOU think it's a dumb law. That's a subjective opinion. It's also disrespectful to the broader populace who agree with the law. It's also disrespectful to the law. YOU think it's stupid, so YOU think you can break it, so YOU think you can garner sympathy. Ridiculous. The FACT is that cocaine use is illegal in Australia or Japan. That's the way it is (for now). So don't carry it in countries where it is illegal. No sympathy for him. And none for you if you ever got caught.
Nick
Roar Guru
Actually, Japan and Australia rank pretty closely to each other on most metrics when in court. If you are stone cold guilty, neither country is particularly welcoming to the criminal. Ferguson shouldn't have broken the law. Simple as that.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha Blake Ferguson ..... seriously challenged in the brain power stakes
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
poor baby, maybe we should start a gofundme page so we can buy Fergo a decent mattress?
Nat
Roar Guru
I have no doubt it was his manager and TBF that is his job. I couldn't imagine it's easy to get an in-custody interview. This article alone is up past 1800 reads so there is an interest there in him/his situation. You only have to look at his career to know he's never been a person of high character but I just can't agree with the notion that if it's not savaging him it's portraying him as some type of victim.
Simon
Guest
Cocaine is illegal here too mate. Why do the Japanese people not deserve the same sympathy from dumb laws as we do?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'd be interested to hear from the Fergle what was going thru his mind before he jumped on a plane to go to Japan. Did he put any thought into how he was going to carry on? Surely someone tapped him on the shoulder and explained that it's not a great idea to carry on like a Barbarian in Japan?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
They'll stop reporting things like this when people like you and me stop reading them. Simple equation.
Max power
Guest
Yeah, you are so funny