UK aims to strengthen anti-corruption stance
Posted by Gavin Smith on 08 May 2009 at 10:05
The British government's approach to fighting corruption in sport looks set for extra reinforcements following concerns the Gambling Commission has not dealt with the issue.
The Daily Telegraph reports the sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, will appoint a panel which will involve experts including law enforcement agencies, the police, and sports governing bodies to back up the commission.
Some commentators are worried that sport faces a greater threat to integrity after the popularity of gambling increased in Britain in recent years.
As a result the government is looking for a more effective and coordinated response, after over 50 incidents reported to the commission did not produce a successful prosecution, the Telegraph reports.
Recently the Football Association lodged charges over a football match between Accrington Stanley and Bury last season.
The paper reports six players were charged with being involved in the biggest alleged gambling sting in recent history.
Charges claim four players who were on Accrington's books at the time, including two who actually played in the game, allegedly bet thousands of pounds on their side to lose. Another player who was then on Bury's books, was also said to have bet £3,500 on an away win. A sixth player faces a charge of failing to provide information to the investigation.
The investigation was prompted after bookmakers in the north west of England noticed a spike of unusually large amounts on a Bury win in a game which had little bearing on the league on the last day of the season. Bury won the match.
The Football Association could impose heavy fines or even bans on those who put cash on their team to lose.
Set up in 2007, the Gambling Commission is a product of a change in betting law and is designed to be the leading light in fighting corruption, with cheating seen as the most serious breach of the rules. It can insist that bookmakers reveal any information on unusual gambling hands.
The Telegraph says governing bodies are likely to be more keen on charges which relate to more straightforward offences, as cheating rules have never seen anyone charged for the offence, and deliberate match-fixing is tough to prove.
The allegations relating to the Accrington versus Bury game are that players broke FA rules saying they cannot put bets on their own team or competitions they are involved in.
