Footballers and gambling
It’s not unusual for footballers to have a flutter in the casino or maybe an accumulator at the weekend. But when the FA opened up an investigation in 2013 about footballers betting on their own football matches, things became more serious.
It is rare that we see this in England, but across Europe and particularly in Italy, match fixing is a common occurrence. Italian football was rife with this unethical issue for many years, even seeing Juventus stripped of their title and relegated to Serie B as punishment.
“If they are found guilty, ban them for life”
Mark Devlin, CEO of Brentford FC said: "Football is clean but I think this is another issue that all footballing authorities domestically and internationally need to look at. They need to ensure rules are in place for the way that footballers can behave. I don’t think football is rife with gambling but it’s difficult when you start looking at semi professional players who are maybe earning £20 a game and if someone comes to them and says I can give you £20,000 if you pick up a yellow card in your next game, they have got a personal dillema.”
It is rare that we see this in England, but across Europe and particularly in Italy, match fixing is a common occurrence. Italian football was rife with this unethical issue for many years, even seeing Juventus stripped of their title and relegated to Serie B as punishment.
“If they are found guilty, ban them for life”
Mark Devlin, CEO of Brentford FC said: "Football is clean but I think this is another issue that all footballing authorities domestically and internationally need to look at. They need to ensure rules are in place for the way that footballers can behave. I don’t think football is rife with gambling but it’s difficult when you start looking at semi professional players who are maybe earning £20 a game and if someone comes to them and says I can give you £20,000 if you pick up a yellow card in your next game, they have got a personal dillema.”
Ray Wikins, Fulham FC assistant head coach doesn't understand the footballers need to bet: "I can't understand why a lot of these guys who are earning a lot of money need to be involved in bribery and betting’s and the scandals of football and if they are found guilty, ban them for life."