London: A gambler with close social ties to Premier League and England footballers is among those under investigation for involvement in an alleged "spot-fixing" betting sting.
The Gambling Commission and the Scottish FA have been passed details of multiple "irregular" bets and attempted bets, many of them allegedly emanating from Merseyside, on a red card being shown during the game between Motherwell and Hearts in the Scottish Premier League earlier this month. Several betting firms have offered evidence.
Motherwell's Liverpool-born midfielder, Steve Jennings, who was sent off during the game for swearing at the referee, has denied any involvement in improper betting.
The investigation has been described to me by some involved in the "integrity process" as "a test of how seriously the Commission and sporting bodies want to take these issues".
Alarm bells
The revelation that a gambler with links to high-profile English players has been implicated in suspicious activity should raise alarm bells in the corridors of the FA and Premier League.
New figures from the Gambling Commission show a surge in reports of "irregular" betting across British sport since April.
More than 50 cases have been referred in eight months, with football cases prominent. Most are understood to be "low level", namely League Two or non-League.
The authorities have evidence to suggest that at least two matches were fixed: Accrington v Bury in League Two on May 3, 2008, and Grays Athletic v Forest Green Rovers in the Conference on April 26, 2009.
Infringements
An FA tribunal publicly voiced concerns when banning players involved in the Accrington game for betting infringements.
Enforcement sources claim the Grays game was passed over by police because they were too busy with crime and terrorism; the FA remain theoretically on that case.
