The latest gambling controversy…
Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen has been handed a two-match ban for breaching Scottish Football Association gambling rules, and will undergo an independent hearing panel, reports the BBC.
The 35-year-old has been accused of placing 55 bets over two campaigns – including 18 last season and 37 this term.
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As with the English FA, the SFA have prohibited any official player, coach, staff and referees in Scotland from placing bets across the football globe.
But is the suspension enough for the Simonsen?
In a similar incident in England, Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend was fined £18,000 and served a one-month ban by the FA for gambling incidents, while non-league outfit AFC Hayes had three players banned on huge three years, one year and four-month punishments, respectively.
The latest betting football scandal with Rangers’ Simonsen should call for consistency across the Football Association’s to truly combat gambling concerns within the sport.
There is a colossal amount of advertising, with betting companies such as Bet 365, William Hill and Paddy Power, to name but a few, regularly advertised before match-day kick-offs, as well as general viewing, on major sports broadcasters, such as BT Sport and Sky Sports. Sky even have their own gambling company.
It’s easy to see how players can be tempted into placing a sneaky bet – even if it does breach official rules.