FortescueFotheringhamSmyth Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 The SFA - and English FA - regulations on players, coaches and official betting on football are maybe the football-related topic that gets my neck out more quickly than any other... and not just because I wasn't allowed to gamble on football when I was entitled to wear a blazer in England. The rules did not stop me betting of football, even in games involving my club. I've just noticed an article marking the 40th anniversary of Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee and wicketkeeper Rod Marsh openly betting on England to beat Australia in a cricket Test in Leeds, in which both men were playing. They were in the Ladbrokes betting tent in the ground, having a flutter on the gee-gees. With the Poms seemingly on the brink of defeat, they'd noticed England were 500/1. Lillee had £5 on, Marsh invested a tenner, in front of highly amused punters. Ian Botham smashed the ball to several neighbouring parishes, the English tail-enders hung around with him and the Poms had a sliver of a chance as Australia chased a small total in the 4th innings. The Aussies shagged it big time. Knowing how many witnesses there were and that news of the bets would leak out, Marsh and Lillee seemed to be concentrating and trying harder than anyone else in a green cap, as England edged a narrow win. Apart from a few "Tut! Tut!" comments in the press and a half-hearted minor finger-wagging from the Aussie blazers, everyone thought it was a great laugh and nobody accused either Lillee or Marsh of anything underhand. It's laughable that the reserve left-back at Stocksbridge Park Steels can't bet on Barcelona v. Real Madrid. May as well ban players from driving, just in case they're tempted to break a speed limit or indulge in a spot of "Glug! Glug! Vroom! Vroom!"... and this in an industry where half the bloody teams have bookies and casinos as shirt sponsors. At my lot, the assistant manager used to turn-up and login to Betfair and Oddschecker for a few pre-match bets on Football League games. Our number #10 used to walk to the ground via a slight diversion, specifically to a bet on games in our league with a local independent high street bookie. He never invested on our club's games, but he was quite open about his bets. He wasn't the only player to let out an "Aw, bollocks!" in the clubhouse after the game, as the results and tables rotated on the side of the Sky Sports screen. Does anyone on here with any involvement at a club not know of at least a couple of players or coaches at their lot betting on football? Or have things changed in the 3 years since I was last involved? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L. Brilliant Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 I've never been involved with any club but like anyone into football you know someone who knows someone at the very least. I have heard of some well known names indulging. But on the principle of the rules: I support it and it doesn't go far enough. I know you've got your preference, your belief, already and I'm unlikely to change it. But rules on this subject are necessary for the integrity of the game. Why? There are loads of reasons. Post Bosman, players stay with single clubs for far shorter spells, on average. It's not uncommon for a player to have one season at a club, move to another, repeat and repeat. In time he probably stays with one agent upon whom he relies for the next contract getting sorted. Players having more dependence and therefore loyalty to an agent than to their club can create some unhealthy situations. Agent can influence several players in one game; agent may 'represent' both goalies in one game; liquidity on one game can far exceed the wages, prizes, etc for said game; agents can be and are 'professional' gamblers. Gambling is addictive. Some people get into debts they can't cope with, and owe people you don't want to owe. Players are human. Yeah the good old days, common sense, etc etc, but you have to protect the sport as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 The footballers who get caught betting are invariably incredibly stupid, bragging about a win on social media for example, or nearly the whole team trooping into a bookies before an away game, or getting other people to put big bets on them getting carded but all traceable to their own small home town. I expect more discrete betting is rampant in football, especially amongst full timers with too much time on their hands. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L. Brilliant Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 It can seem reasonable to let players bet on games or competitions they're not involved in, but insider trading can't be allowed to happen if it can be avoided. I can't see any other protection against this than just banning all football betting by players or club/association staff (or sponsors, even). If you look at horse racing which only exists for the purpose of betting, is bankrolled by bookies, other sports need to take every action to avoid the market 'maturing' into that dynamic. Side note, we've all read folk like Le Tissier laughing about spot fixing first throw ins and whatever, thinking it's harmless in the context of a 90 mins match. But to a mid table team in a 38 game season, isn't one game just as expendable? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, L. Brilliant said: It can seem reasonable to let players bet on games or competitions they're not involved in, but insider trading can't be allowed to happen if it can be avoided. I can't see any other protection against this than just banning all football betting by players or club/association staff (or sponsors, even). If you look at horse racing which only exists for the purpose of betting, is bankrolled by bookies, other sports need to take every action to avoid the market 'maturing' into that dynamic. Side note, we've all read folk like Le Tissier laughing about spot fixing first throw ins and whatever, thinking it's harmless in the context of a 90 mins match. But to a mid table team in a 38 game season, isn't one game just as expendable? Can't remember which player but a bookie had a novelty bet in some English Cup game that a bit of a tubby player would be spotted eating a pie. So naturally he put a bet on and took a bite out of a pie sitting on the bench. Big fuss and I think the bookie refused to pay out. Something like that anyway. If bookies have markets like the time of the first throw in it's bound to happen. Edited July 20, 2021 by welshbairn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedEd Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 Just now, welshbairn said: Can't remember which player but a bookie had a novelty bet in some English Cup game that a bit of a tubby player would be spotted eating a pie. So naturally he put a bet on and took a bite out of a pie sitting on the bench. Big fuss and I think the bookie refused to pay out. Something like that anyway. Sutton Utd v Arsenal. I think The Sun promoted the novelty bet. The rather large sub goalie, who was also a coach, was the subject of the bet. He took a bite out of a pasty rather than a pie but was still disciplined by the FA. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L. Brilliant Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 There's obviously a difference between a sub goalie biting a pie and a goalie-goalie chucking one in. But can you define a legally robust rule that protects against one without impacting the other? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, L. Brilliant said: There's obviously a difference between a sub goalie biting a pie and a goalie-goalie chucking one in. But can you define a legally robust rule that protects against one without impacting the other? I'm not in favour of removing the betting ban, it would send a terrible message, but we have to be aware that lots of players gamble regardless and bookies creating markets than can be so easily manipulated has consequences. A player could start with creating the odd throw in or getting a yellow and get sucked into trying to fix matches. Edited July 20, 2021 by welshbairn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Derry Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 About a decade ago if you walked in any of the bookies on the Hilltown in Dundee you would find a couple of players from Dundee/United depending on who was at home that week. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagfox Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Did Kane Hester not get cited last season for booting someone in a cup game to get booked which a few of his mates had bet on? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 30 minutes ago, jagfox BLM said: Did Kane Hester not get cited last season for booting someone in a cup game to get booked which a few of his mates had bet on? Yeah, I was referring to that in a post above. It was really dumb, his mates in Montrose all put big bets on with Bet365, instead of spreading a few smaller ones around different shops in Aberdeen or Dundee or something. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-56649788 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 On 23/07/2021 at 08:33, The Derry said: About a decade ago if you walked in any of the bookies on the Hilltown in Dundee you would find a couple of players from Dundee/United depending on who was at home that week. I remember a game at Boghead where PK was over taking a corner and shouted up to the crowd if anyone knew who had won the 2.45 at Sandown. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lambcherylnn Posted November 7, 2023 Share Posted November 7, 2023 (edited) Hello @FortescueFotheringhamSmyth, you make a valid point about the restrictions on players' betting in the current era, especially with the prevalence of betting sponsors in the industry. It does seem somewhat paradoxical. Your anecdotes about the assistant manager and number #10 at your club provide a glimpse into the reality of the situation, where some individuals may still place bets, albeit discreetly.Regulations and attitudes towards betting in sports can change over time. For those looking to explore the world of betting further, 바카라사이트 offers various options and information. It's always good to stay informed and responsible when it comes to gambling. Edited November 10, 2023 by lambcherylnn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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