FA surrender £4m after cutting betting firm ties
The FA has pulled out of a fouryear sponsorship deal with Ladbrokes after just one year, following a board decision in May to cut ties with betting companies.
The decision was reached after a three-month review of the governing body’s links to the betting industry and will cost the FA £4m in revenue.
The rationale for the move is that the governing body cannot enforce the strict anti-gambling rules for those involved in the game while earning money to help promote gambling.
The timing of the move will inevitably lead many to point to Joey Barton’s high-profile case and the criticisms he made of football’s confusing relationship with the betting industry, but the FA is adamant this review was in the offing before his case was set- the former Fir Park assistant who only took charge back in March. He said: “First and foremost, I didn’t have an assistant-manager but Keith comes with a massive history at this club
“He’s been a brilliant servant and enjoyed some fantastic times at Fir Park. He’s a Pro licence coach and he hasn’t had a lot of experience because he was still playing up until the end of last season.
“Keith’s enthusiasm and desire and passion for Motherwell is obvious and I’ve no doubt that he’ll keep getting better and better.
“We have a young coaching staff with myself, Keith and Stephen Craigan, but we also have experience at good levels.”
LASLEY has been inundated with goodwill messages following the announcement on Wednesday, a testament to the high regard many people across Scottish football hold the combative midfielder in.
However, Robinson has no worries his new No.2 won’t be scared to stand up to him. players have moved on since I
“I think all my staff can,” last played here. joked the Northern Irishman. “But some of them are still “Stephen Craigan disagrees around, and I know a lot of the with everyone anyway. Las is boys already from Dumbarton the same. and other places. and this football club. He is so Motherwell manager, with the “I don’t want little boys who “I feel at home in the eager to take the club forward likes of McFadden, Stephen will back down and not have dressing room and training and his enthusiasm and drive Pearson and Scott McDonald an opinion. We will get togethover the last few days has will be a massive plus.” all departing Lanarkshire. er and discuss and we come been great. They’re a good
Keeping Lasley at the club Even though stalwarts such out with an opinion together. bunch.” will also help keep a familiarias Stevie Hammell remain in a You all saw how Keith played. Walsh was released by ty to proceedings under claret and amber shirt for an“He was a tenacious characRangers in January after a loan Robinson’s first season in other year, having a ‘Motherter on the park and I want period at St Mirren. charge at Fir Park. well man’ at the heart of his people to stand up with opinHe then had two games as This has already been a administration was another ions – before I decide that I’m a substitute for Limerick but is
delighted to be back on home summer for rebuilding for the big selling point to Robinson, soil.right anyway.” H is aim now is to impress Sons boss Stevie Aitken in his second spell at the Cheaper Direct Insurance Stadium as they look to make an impact in the Championship next term.
He told Dumbarton’s website: “I’m grateful to Dumbarton for giving me the opportunity and I’m focused on taking it.
“The team is still part-time, but the club has done really well to stay in the league for the last few years and I hope I can help them push on.” tled in April. Former Ranger Barton, who most recently played for Burnley, was banned from football for 18 months for placing 1,260 bets on football over a 10year period, including 30 bets on games involving his own club.
The 34-year-old, however, never bet on his team to lose, lost money on his football bets over the period and gambled on lots of other sports, too, all for sums he could afford to lose. As a result, he is appealing against what is effectively a career-ending sanction.
Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis and Newcastle’s Jack Colback, have also run into trouble for betting on football, and last year nonleague manager Nick Bunyard was given a three-year ban for betting against his own teams.