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Wayne Rooney's father arrested over alleged football betting
scam |
06/10/2011 |
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Helen Carter
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Wayne Rooney Sr
was arrested as part of an investigation into suspicious betting activity
relating to a game between Motherwell and Hearts in December.
Police have arrested Wayne Rooney's
father, his uncle Richie and seven other people, including a Scottish Premier
League player, over allegations of a football betting scam.
The
arrests, carried out across Merseyside and Glasgow, relate to a game between
Motherwell and Hearts in December last year, which Hearts won 2-1 following a
second half penalty.
The Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings was
arrested after allegedly getting himself sent off deliberately during the
match.
It is believed that there was a pattern of irregular betting,
with stakes being put on a red card being given. One was allegedly from a new
account opened in Liverpool, from where £500 was staked at odds of 10/1.
Rooney's 48-year-old father, also
called Wayne, is thought to have been arrested at his home in the West Derby
district of Liverpool.
Wayne Rooney, Richie Rooney and two other men
were later bailed pending further enquiries. Jennings remained in custody along
with four others.
Thursday's arrests follow a nine-month investigation
into the sending off of 26-year-old Jennings, who previously played for
Tranmere Rovers.
Jennings, who was born in Kirkby, was arrested at his
home in Glasgow on behalf of the Gambling Commission.
After being
booked for a foul early in the game, he was given a red card for putting his
hand on referee Stevie O'Reilly and arguing when a penalty appeal was turned
down in the 83rd minute of the game.
He is alleged to have asked
O'Reilly when he was going to stop "cheating" Motherwell.
Bookmakers
raised concerns when it emerged that several bets had been made on a player
being sent off, including the £500 staked in Liverpool.
Two
members of the Association of British Bookmakers, including the online betting
company Blue Square, expressed concerns the day after the match.
A
Merseyside police statement said: "Detectives have today executed warrants at
10 addresses across Merseyside and Glasgow and arrested nine men as part of an
investigation into suspicious betting activity.
"The arrests are the
culmination of a joint operation with the Gambling Commission, and the nine who
have been arrested for conspiracy to defraud are being interviewed by
detectives.
"The investigation relates to a match between Motherwell
and Hearts on 14 December 2010."
In a statement, the Scottish FA's
chief executive, Stewart Regan, said: "While the investigation involves several
other individuals outside Scotland, it is important to stress that the evidence
gathered throughout this thorough period of investigation has involved only one
Scottish match.
"Motherwell FC are aware of the situation and will
issue a response in due course. The Scottish FA will make no further comment at
this stage."
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