How do you find out that a footballer is betting on the game? They don’t walk into bookies and hand a slip over at the counter, this stuff is all done on smartphones or by telephone.
Betting information is protected by the Data Protection Act, the SFA have no authority to ask and bookmakers have no authority to tell, even if they know a player is breaking SFA rules.
Even if a player sits in the dressing room, and announces that he’s just bet on the match about to take place, and all his team-mates reported him, he would be able to dismiss the charge on the basis that his comments were a joke. No one could prove otherwise.
But, very specific charges are levelled at players.
The betting industry survives on the quality of their information being better than that of their customers. “Are you likely to win at the weekend?”, “Any inside info on who the new manager will be?”, “Who’s struggling to be fit for Saturday (and therefore unlikely to be first scorer)?”
If you are a player, you have the inside line on a market worth hundreds of millions each year. Football has an unhealthy relationship with bookmakers, at some clubs, the betting partner has their own lounge and has full access to the players’ lounge. Many players are big gamblers and some have big incomes. They are both significant clients for bookies and potential sources of inside information. Like many big gamblers, they are offered special odds, not available to the general public.
Let me tell you one way of catching a player who is gambling on football. He is tempted away from his old bookie to one who has become friendly with, possibly after giving his former bookie a bum steer on a striker who was supposed to be injured. The former bookie then ‘discovers’ that the name on one of their accounts doesn’t match the name on the linked bank account, and that this account holder is a footballer.
The bookie is now officially concerned that illegal match fixing is going on. With the possibility of criminality (even if it is without basis), they can alert the authorities. That would teach the player a lesson for leaving, while making money through advantageous odds and feeding bum information back, and destroy whatever competitive advantage the other bookie has.
Does anyone know of any other way a specific charge of gambling on football could be raised?
Maybe the players are all just daft laddies. Maybe the SFA decline to release reports into players gambling because there is nothing to see in them. Maybe you can break the rules on betting but not be punished because it’s a silly rule.
You don’t need to be match fixing to be involved in serious criminality when dealing with a bookmaker. The football watching public need transparency from the SFA on this issue, no matter how much money floods into the game from the gambling industry.
Book your tickets now for the CQN11 St Patrick’s Day event at the Kerrydale Suite on Friday 13 March. It’s going to be another great Celtic night. You can buy tickets direct near the bottom of this page or email me, celticquicknews@gmail.com
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sally’s not doing so well in his new job either….!!!!
https://twitter.com/bbcmerseyside/status/558642372943572992
Jamesgang.
Opinions are OK but I like to deal in binders.
JJ
JJ, what happened to yer salmon?
Is that what was in Dena’s parcel?
jamesgang
I’m a pussy cat really. Just, if I am going to talk, I try to say what I feel – I try to be polite, but honest.
As you suggest, everyone is entitled to their chance – some unfortunately dont get a fair crack, some do and grab it, some do and dont take it.
SB didn’t grow as a player after we signed him… if anything, he regressed. Last season, he turned it around, and began to show glimpses of why we bought him.
As I say, he (probably more than any player, except perhaps SJ), has the engine to play RD’s way. And, as you say, some of the players (eg. LG) have stepped up, and clearly improved/seized their chances. I hope SB does, as it would save us a lot of money.
I’m just not yet convinced that he has the skills necessary to be the sort of midfielder we need for the way RD wants the team to play. As much as I wouldn’t tie a show-horse to my plough, I wouldn’t enter a clydesdale in the kentucky derby. One is not better or worse than the other, but it is ‘horses for courses’.
IF SB can adjust to the new passing course, all the better. But, if he cant, it is not fair (even to him) to continue to expect him to do a job for which he isnt equipped.
And, at the end of the day, I’m not a SB fan (or not not a SB fan)…I’m a Celtic fan. No room for sentimentality. If swapping SB out improves the team, then it is a no-brainer for me, and no disrespect intended to SB (who, if SB is half as good a bhoy as I think he is, would probably agree).
67Heaven
Is that @120 millions worth?
Jamesgang. I know what you mean about iPhones. I managed to make `Schrodinger` “Schroeder`…….. I don`t have an iPhone.
JJ
ACGR
I don`t know to what salmon you are referring but yes, it is in Dena`s parcel……along with your wine and MickTT`s promissory note for two lunches at Coia`s.
JJ
will the massive changes in the mobile phone networks buying/selling/merging not present a unique opportunity for the clubs and leauges likes ourselves to challenge the EPL tv model
JJ
Sometimes I’m right (I did say NB would be a star this year), and sometimes I am wrong (I thought big Efe would be the other breakthrough player for us this year).
I’m just spit balling here …. and I do try to keep an open mind. So, I will once again watch SB and hopefully will see what you see (or, even better, see him will develop into the sort of player I hope he will)….
Although, I suspect that you are dismissing my views simply because I am now in your mind associated with that rapscallion (I like that word), Torontony! :) Dont judge me by the company I keep!
Phil’s latest
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/real-billionaires-are-often-off-the-radar/#more-5765
HH
Mike in Toronto – McGinn at St Mirren is not near Scott Browns level. Indeed, he is not as good as Scott was at the same age!
I keep hearing about all these quality players in the SPL. I just don’t see it when watching the games.
Young McGinn played well against us and managed to beat Broony once or twice but over the 90 Broony was on top.
I really don’t think the likes of Armstrong or McGinn are at Scott’s level.
You hear people saying Broony can’t pass, total nonsense.
People sell our players short whilst grossly over rating others on the basis of the occasional good game.
frannyb67,
Spot on mate, from the cradle to my grave. :)
mike in toronto
The death of Scott’s sister affected him a lot. Scott has played with a lot of different players in that Celtic midfield. at times I don’t think he has had a great deal of help in the engine room when it is required. He takes on hammer throwers on his own at times. He is prone to the odd daft moment. Put good players in with Scott Brown and he will excel. Scott Brown is a Roy Keane type player. He drives the team on. He is NOT Roy Keane but a similar type of player. The other players respect him 100% and he has turned out to be a proper leader. One of few leaders we have in the squad.
When the battle is on Scott will be in the thick of it. He is exactly the type of player you want in your side on 1st Feb at Hampden.
I have not always been a big fan of Scott Brown. At times he can be excellent and other times he can be downright daft but lately he is consistent and shows the leadership required to be our captain. I hope he finishes his career with Celtic. I also hope that Scott is able to hold a lot more trophies aloft in the Hoops.
LB
When Scott Brown left Hibs there would not be an English top flight side who were not aware of him.
We could have doubled our money very soon after with Newcastle keen and Ian Holloway described him as the complete midfielder.
Ok, he hasn’t reached the heights he could have but he would easily command a EPL move if he wanted to.
I do not see the same interest in Armstrong or McGinn.
Now this is FUNNY…..
http://youtu.be/i2q9SSvY1EU
Sometimes, I think that KevJungle’s not 100% wrong about CQN.
Mike in Toronto
At least you’re correct about Bitton. A technically accomplished young Mhan.
Telt you though bud, only thing for it is to get yourself over to CQN Corner and then come to the match.
Asap!
JJ – your posts make me smile. A gent. And an erudite, learned one at that!
HH jamesgang
Flat5 – Andy Cameron is on my ‘acceptable huns’ list! His routine at Billy McNeill’s tribute dinner was very well pitched and very funny. I find it hard to dislike him.
I’ve got nothing against Chic Cherry either.
Many years ago I saw him perform in “Mother Goose”, where he led us primary school kids in a song about the Glasgow Garden Festival:
At the garden festival you’ll see us
In among the flowers, buzz buzz buzz!”
Hard not to like a man like that. (thumbsup)
From oor Phil,
Real billionaires are often off the radar
Leave a reply
I doubt that the news today that Mike Ashley has been criticised by MSP Adam Ingram will have registered with the Sports Direct magnate.
He does not care, because he doesn’t have to.
This is a chap who does return the calls from the Scottish government.
With that in mind I do not fancy the chances of The People to do any better when it comes to influencing Big Mike.
The key part of the Herald piece is this:
“Sports Direct declined to comment”.
Of course they declined to comment…
Neo-liberalism has created corporate monsters like Facebook and Google and they often treat elected government with disdain just because they can.
Sports Direct appears to operate in a similar fashion.
These huge companies aren’t too big to fail, but they are large enough to ignore elected politicians.
For too long The People have been hobbled by their belief system.
The deferential meme meant that they simply waited until a rich man in brogues would turn up and bankroll their supremacist dreams.
When Craig Whyte walked down Edmiston Drive in May 2011 they cheered him.
It was a culturally encoded deference to an authority figure that exuded a locally produced bourgeois cachet.
This unthinking adulation of the trappings of wealth has its roots in the world view of the Edwardian ship yard labour aristocracy.
Now their new club is in danger of being dismembered by a real billionaire.
When faced with inconvenient truths in 2011 about the imminent implosion of Rangers The People chose not to believe.
They reassured themselves that, somehow, Rangers would pull through and that there would be no insolvency event.
At the time the stenographers soothed them, because many of the hacks are from the same sub culture with the same worries.
Moreover the editors feared for circulation figures if the Bears were grief stricken by a daily diet of gloom.
So instead of the truth it was diet of puff pieces about a bright new future.
Out of the numb disbelief of the summer of 2012 in stepped Charlie and the boys to cash in on the grief induced denial of The People.
It was the unemotional deliberately enriching themselves by taking advantage of the emotionally needy.
When they turned their backs on Mr Bomber in 2012 The People queued for season tickets and Chuckles made them tea.
Bless them, but they believed that everything would be ok.
They were wrong.
Now many of The People still believe that the Brogue Consortium will come through for them.
I rather suspect that Big Mike has others plans, but he is not available for comment.
Adrian Chiles sacked by ITV.
@ JonnyRambo67: 12:40
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/30615/GERS-NEW-280m-IBROX
have fun with the project. If this article is anything to go by you may need to stock up on painkillers (for the ribs).
Guernica/Livibhoy
I think SB could do a job for a team in the EPL fighting relegation (or even NFL’s team, if he can get them up). But, I dont see the big (or any) English clubs coming in for SB either.
Newcastle was buying potential. Unlike McGinn, no one is buying SB now for his potential.
Sb is now, what, 29? A player who thrives on his engine wont improve much after 30, but will usually start to lose it. A player like Pirlo, who lets the ball do the work, can survive longer (although not in the SPL, if he played for Celtic! would be fouled to death).
McGinn is only what, 20? He will develop (and with RD’s coaching, quickly) into a better player. And as has been pointed out, SB has (and McGinn could have) the better players around him to make them better.
We have lost out on some good youngsters in the past …. think this young guy could develop into the sort of player we need, and will regret if we dont sign him up.
Also like young Henderson for us, and have high hopes for him. So, would be giving him more time, with a view to him possibly taking over next season or so. but, for what McGinn would cost us (free in the summer, and reasonable wages), I think he would be a wise investment.
dharma bam
16:07 on 23 January, 2015
Sometimes, I think that KevJungle’s not 100% wrong about CQN.
>>>>>>>>
Might have something to do with your second name …..hahahaha……just joking…!!!!
Interesting that Ryan McGowan is back home , he was one player I definitely would try and sign . A grafter with a bit of steel about him .Just what we need for our midfield . IMHO
Can’t see why we would stump up the three million for Armstrong. A consumate professional, who obviously has the support around him needed in his personal life.
A developing player that knows the Hootsmon hammer throwers, who would make us faster, and stronger in midfield.
I would love to see him do a Broony and eventually take the armband, but even should he make a move darn sarth, we would be quids in.
Mike In Toronto – I do think you undervalue our captain but that argument is for another day.
I wouldn’t necessarily be against us bringing in McGinn but I do think the step up from the likes of St Mirren to Celtic is akin to moving from under 19’s to the Juniors!
As strange as it sounds, I think it’s relatively easy to pass the ball well for a DUFC or St Mirren but far harder when asked to do it at pace whilst against 2 banks of 4.
At St Mirren you get a touch, another touch then a pass. That won’t necessarily apply the further up the chain you go.
That makes it hard to establish a players ability and why teams are even dubious about our players until they see them in Europe.
Can anyone advise the best pub to watch tomorrow’s game in Prestonpans?
proudbhoy
13:12 on 23 January, 2015
John herron ..
Was he not tipped for great things a couple of years ago or am i thinking about paul george ?
Love seeing young players come through… Liam henderson has it plus more. Hope he keeps getting a first team game now and then.
–
Think young John has been out injured and is justmaking his way back,
Been wrong often before.
Sevco goalie probably seen the way Bllack was “punished” by the SFA and said hmmm thats not to bad.
Ps
Commons(and Lisa :))))) everyday for me,
Jungle Jim, after a recent clash of persona’s with another poster who also called himself Jungle Jim you morphed into Jungle Jim Hot Smoked Salmon. I note now you are merely “Hot Smoked” and wondered if your moniker went the same way as poor old 16 Roads who in the CQN album mysteriously misplaced 10 of his roads
Perhaps Dena’s package contains 10 roads, a salmon, some red wine and a cursory note from MickTT for a three dinner combo at Coia’s. She’s going to be one happy hoopster when that lot shows up.
Commons or Guidetti?
Commons please.
IMHO, Scott Brown does far more for Celtic than just add steel to our midfield every week.
He is another consumate professional, who commands the dressing room, albeit with pranks and humour if the tweets and pictures are to be believed. From what I have read between the lines over the years, is that players bond with him and respect him. He was and is rated highly by Lenny, WGS, and Ronny, that will do for me.
A great deal of his value is that he is, in summation, a fine ambassador for Celtic Football Club.
King liar and the 3 furry friends
16:15 on
23 January, 2015
@ JonnyRambo67: 12:40
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/30615/GERS-NEW-280m-IBROX
———-
Thanks mate, *jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants posted that link for me earlier as well. Should have clarified I’m looking for a picture of the back page with the headlines rather than the article itself.
Repost
Anyone have any links to pictures of the back page headlines with Davie moonbeams stories about supercasinos, floating pitches or any other delusions of grandeur? I’m thinking of the epic daily record / sunday mail ‘exclusives’ of days gone by.
Little project I’m working on, in it’s infancy so may come to nothing, but Google is drawing a blank.
I’ve seen the pictures before so hoping someone, somewhere, has them saved.
Much obliged.
67heaven – Phil’s been imbibing too much herrenvolk hubris.
Neo-liberalism has created corporate monsters
Help ma boab! Monsters! What kind of evil slouches towards Gomorrah? Probably that Waylan-Yutani Corporation or OCP…
like Facebook and Google
Oh. Panic over. My whelm is undered.
and they often treat elected government with disdain just because they can.
No, Phil. I think you’ll find they obey the laws of the territories they operate in, or be shut down. What they don’t do is allow themselves to be treated as political pawns.
Sports Direct appears to operate in a similar fashion.
These huge companies aren’t too big to fail, but they are large enough to ignore elected politicians.
Why, in the name of all that is green and white, should Mike Ashley rush to the beck and call of some jumped up town councillor in that comedy shanty town building at Holyrood?
Mike Ashley is a free man living in a free country. He doesn’t answer to MSP’s – they answer to us.
What Ashley does – peacefully and lawfully – with his own private property is his business. Not Adam Ingram’s.
Ashley is clearly more polite than me. I wouldn’t have ignored Ingram’s attempt to stick his nose into my business – I’d have faxed him a picture of my poo. (thumbsup)
San Diego Bhoy
Also in the flesh he has a very charged presence.
Completely Agree.
KLV
a ceiler gonof rust
16:28 on 23 January, 2015
Commons or Guidetti?
Commons please.
Agree absolutely 100%. Kris Commons (and his lovely wife) should have a future with Celtic long after his playing days.
Credit where its due..
I have taken a very long time to be convinced of Scott Brown as a player and as a Captain. However, I’m now seeing that he brings much needed energy and leadership to the team.
I think he has improved but I also think the team has got worse so its a combination of those two factors that have elevated SB in my eyes.
Seen on TSFM
Sorry if already posted.
Ann Budge comments on last Friday’s events following her investigations.
http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/4125
NO BRAINER – COMMONS!!!!
I wouldn’t sign Guidetti for £1m….Leigh Griffiths is better.
Jim Tim
Think Jackie Mac might play him ther if Armstrong signs with Celtic…HH
San Diego Bhoy, Tiny Tim posted the Commons Guidetti question earlier. I agree with you that KC would be a welcome member of CFC even after his playing days are over.
I like the guy and think he could offer a lot more once he hangs up his boots.
HH bruv