by Anton Johan
Following a flood of suspicious bets that a player would be sent off with a red card in a recent game between Motherwell and Hearts, sports authorities have promised to launch betting fix probe.
UK bookmakers reported that a larger than usual number of in play bets were received from the Liverpool area that a player would leave the field during the closing stages of the game held on Tuesday night.
Bookies reported that bets ranging from £200 to £500 were placed.
As it happens, 26 year old Steve Jennings of Motherwell, who hails from the Liverpool area, was sent off in the 83rd minute for swearing at the referee after his side was denied a penalty.
After receiving a suspicious betting pattern report from one bookie firm, the Association of British Bookmakers "put out an alert" to other bookmakers.
Blue Square said that the group was offering "10-1 and took a number of bets off new accounts."
The ABB said that it had reported the matter to the Gambling Commission. "We also report to the European Sports Security Association who work with the sports betting industry internationally," said the organization.
Jennings, in the meantime, has denied all wrongdoing and was reported to be "in shock".
He issued a statement insisting that he had no involvement in any betting scam and he is keen to clear his name as soon as possible.
Motherwell Chairman, John Boyle, has leapt to Jennings' defense and said that he was stunned to learn about the allegations. "I would be amazed if Steve got himself involved in anything like that," he said.
