by Renee Israel
Motherwell football player, Steve Jennings, has been arrested along with
eight other people in connection with 'suspicious betting activities'
during a Scottish Premier League match between Motherwell and Hearts in December
last year.
Among the men reportedly arrested are the father and uncle of famous
Manchester United footballer, Wayne Rooney.
The police have not officially disclosed the identities of the men arrested,
besides Jennings, but have listed their ages and places of residence. However
the UK media has had no problem naming some of the men caught in pre-dawn raids
on their homes.
The Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association, Stewart Regan said
that the UK Gambling Commission had notified them following Jennings arrest for
match betting irregularities.
"This follows extensive inquiries in relation to alleged betting
irregularities at a Scottish Premier League match between Motherwell and Hearts
on December 14, 2010," said the CE. "While the investigation involves several
other individuals out of Scotland, it is important to stress that the evidence
gathered throughout this thorough period of investigation has involved only one
Scottish match."
Regan said that Motherwell FC was aware of the situation and would issue a
response in due course.
Suspicious Match Betting Picked up by UK Bookmakers
Jennings was arrested regarding his role in a sending off
incident in a game between his team and Hearts in December 2010.
Odds had been offered by UK bookmaker Blue Square of 10/1 that a
player from Motherwell would be red carded. According to The Sun, the
bookie noted that suspicious betting patterns were taking place after a number
of accounts suddenly opened on Merseyside.
Bets in the region of £500 to £5,000 were placed, and 70 of
these types of bets were placed with Blue Square and other major bookmakers.
Other bookies also noticed these patterns and closed the betting line as a
result.
Jennings eventually got sent off in the 83rd minute of the match
for arguing with the referee and placing a hand on his shoulder. Authorities
were alerted and a ten-month investigation by the police and the UK Gambling
Commission eventually resulted in the nine arrests.
Rooney's father, 48-year-old Wayne Rooney Snr, was out on bail
along with Jennings and the suspicious match betting suspects, and vowed to
clear his name after his arrest.
"Mr. Rooney vigorously denies all of these allegations," said
his lawyer. "We are cooperating fully with the investigation. No further comment
will be made at this time."
