Men arrested in gambling probe

“Four men, one aged 22 years and the others aged 24 years, were arrested and charged in Montrose on Wednesday August 28 following a planned police operation.

“The arrests were made in connection with offences under the Gambling Act 2005.

“A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Last night Elgin City released a statement on their website where the club confirmed they were aware a player had been charged.

The statement added: “Our legal advisers have made it very clear to us that to comment further upon this matter would open the club up to possible allegations of being in contempt of court – we therefore trust that people will respect the player’s privacy and also the fact that the club cannot, and will not, make any further announcement on this matter at this time.”

In Scotland’s most high-profile case of a betting scandal, former England international Joey Barton was sanctioned after he was alleged to have placed 44 bets in 2016 while a Rangers player.

However, he was not accused of placing bets on or against his own team.

Barton was banned from football for 18 months, later reduced by almost five months on appeal.

Meanwhile, last year former Lincoln City defender Bradley Wood was banned from all football activity for six years after being found guilty of 25 breaches of the Football Association’s betting and integrity rules.

SFA headquarters at Hampden Park in Glasgow.