Players must be aware of gambling dangers

Players must be aware of gambling dangers

...However, at a time when there is an intense spotlight on any possible gambling irregularities within a sport as a result of alleged instances in cricket and snooker, is it naive to accept that football will never be susceptible to such breaches of sporting integrity by its players?

In my role as chairman of PFA Scotland, I have been heavily involved with the creation of a gambling awareness project which is aimed at educating players in our country on the regulations surrounding betting in football, and the implications of doing so.

This scheme, which is funded by the Professional Players' Federation (PPF), an organisation which covers more than 15,000 sportsmen and women and includes bodies such as British Athletes' Commission and Professional Golfers' Association, will also make our members aware of the implications of breaching any regulations and possible punishment associated with it.

I have, however, witnessed at first hand the almost complete acceptance of gambling as being integral to the life of a football player. A young apprentice player progressing into the first team will do so while probably being well versed in the many ways of betting, and its perceived attractions.

Any chairman, manager or team-mate will prefer this player to be capable of performing at their best and not to be distracted by off-field interests dominated by gambling.


These shifts in outlook have always been for the good of the game, and it may be that the sport's warm embrace of gambling needs to be loosened in order to safeguard the integrity of the game and to make players more aware of potential problems.