Other Sports Looking Into Betting Corruption

The storm caused by the match rigging allegations by Pakistan during the recent cricket tour of England look set to have implications far beyond the bounds off the ICC boardrooms. The FA is looking into ways to counter corruption and match fixing within football as a result of the cricket spot-fixing charges. 

This may prove to be the tip of the sporting iceberg and as football accounts for the majority of sporting bets placed in Europe it is ever likely that the FA will take the lead to ensure similar accusations are not levelled against the beautiful game. 

With concern over the issue growing the FA are reviewing the rules and talking about instituting a blanket ban on all professional and semi-professional footballers from betting on matches. Last year alone the body fined or banned 16 players in the lower leagues for irregularities and breaches in betting regulations. 

Simon Taylor the representative for the Professional Players Federation said that the total ban was the simplest solution in an ideal world. “We have to make sure it is ideal and appropriate.” 

The cricket debacle and the recent ban given to snooker player, John Higgins have brought to light the dangers that exist between sport and gambling. With the explosion in popularity of betting and online gambling there has been concern expressed by many different sporting governing bodies. Although many sports have anti-corruption measures in place, there are some that are still open to abuse and steps need to be taken to ensure the credibility of sports men and women.