The Association of British Bookmakers, a trade association for High Street betting shops, welcomed the news that the FA enquiry into the Accrington Stanley v Bury match on 3 May 2008 match and others has now concluded with players who have broken the rules being fined, banned and warned as to their future conduct.
It said –
Before the Accrington Stanley v Bury match on 3 May 2008, suspicious betting patterns were identified by our members on this match and the ABB coordinated intelligence received from members and non members alike, having alerted the Gambling Commission and the Football Association to this issue. Stakes on this particular match, which were mainly with High Street bookmakers, predominantly in the North West of England, whilst still relatively small, were much larger than would be expected on a match of this nature, and were disproportionate regarding the outcome. The Gambling Commission did not use its powers to void bets on this market, but the ABB gave advice to members that it saw no reason to withhold the return of stakes on bets placed on Bury and recommended that when making such payments, members should ask customers to supply sufficient information to ensure that any subsequent settlement of outstanding bets could be properly be made in the future. Bookmakers identified suspicious betting activity on this match, reported their concerns to the authorities, cooperated fully with the enquiry and provided vital evidence which allowed the FA to carry out their job. We want the sports we offer markets on to be clean and the sanctions imposed send a clear message to sportsmen and women that UK bookmakers work effectively with both sports governing bodies and the Gambling Commission to identify incidents involving rule breaches, alleged malpractice and/ or corruption. We remain vigilant, but we do not believe that this case is indicative of a widescale problem or a general lack of integrity in sports betting. We have already welcomed the setting up of the integrity in sports betting panel chaired by Rick Parry to which the industry will lend its full support and expertise.
And what the Football Association said –
An independent Regulatory Commission hearing has announced its decision regarding charges against Accrington Stanley defender Peter Cavanagh.
Cavanagh was charged with breaches of FA Rule E8(a) in that, whilst an Accrington Stanley player, he bet on the outcome of Accrington Stanley v Bury on 3 May 2008.
The Regulatory Commission found the charges proven and Cavanagh was fined £3,500 and suspended immediately from all football and football activities for a period of eight months.
Regulatory Commission Chairman Nicholas Stewart QC made the following statement: “These were repeated deliberate breaches of The Football Association’s betting rules which are vital to maintain confidence in the integrity of the game. These are serious offences by a Club Captain and therefore must be punished by a substantial period of suspension of eight months together with a fine of £3,500.”
