Five Football Players Charged by English FA

Posted 6 May 2009 in Latest News

English Football Association Uncovers a Dirty Little Secret Regarding Football Sport Betting

England’s Football Association charged five of its professional soccer players on the grounds of sport betting regarding the outcome of a match that they have a “direct influence” on.

The charges were placed on Accrington Stanley players during the Coca-Cola League Two last May 3, 2008, in which the visiting team, Bury, won two goals against none. They all placed bets on Bury. The players charged were Jay Harris, Robert Williams, David Mannix, and Peter Cavanagh from Accrington Stanley, and Andrew Mangan for Bury. Last month, another player, Leighton McGivern, was also charged for failure to give information to the FA regarding the accusation.

As a rule, FA prohibits this kind of sport betting in which the participant has a direct influence on the outcome of the game. Both Cavanagh and Harris have played in the said game.

The values they gambled were high, even comparable to the prizes won in playing a game of online roulette in an online casino. Mannix bet £4,000, Mangan £3,500, Harris £2,000, Williams £1,000, and Cavanagh on a five-pound accumulator.

Harris is also facing more charges involving sport betting. It has something to do with his new club and two other League Two fixtures. This is likewise for Cavanagh, who gambled on other League Two matches even if he had a direct influence over the game’s outcomes.

The same can be said true for online gaming in casinos. One is not allowed to play a casino game, say online blackjack, if he has an influence over the results.