Five-figure bet made on Inter loan for Sturridge
A punter based in the Midlands placed a five-figure bet on Daniel Sturridge’s club movements during the period in which the Liverpool striker is being investigated for allegedly passing on gambling information, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The man, from a modest background, wagered the huge bet on the England player joining Inter Milan on loan during last January’s transfer window. Just days later, however, striker Sturridge joined West Bromwich Albion for the remainder of the season.
Given the failure of the bet, there is no suggestion that Sturridge was involved, but the transaction startled a leading bookmaker, which suspected the gambler might have obtained what he believed was insider information.
The Football Association has refused to confirm whether it is considering the bet in relation to its investigation into Sturridge for alleged gambling breaches.
It had previously been understood Sturridge’s loan move to West Brom on Jan 29 was the central thread to the FA misconduct charge for breaching betting rules.
The FA mentioned “the period of January 2018” in its statement, and one of the charges against Sturridge refers to “passing on information which can be used for betting purposes”.
In the days before his switch, Corriere dello Sport, the Italian newspaper, reported that Inter had agreed a deal to take Sturridge to Serie A on loan, with an option to buy in the summer. The report surfaced about a week after the Midlands bet was tabled.
As well as banning gambling on games, FA rules prohibit players from involvement in betting on any matter connected to football, including player transfers, managerial changes or selection. They are also forbidden from passing on information which they have “obtained by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not publicly available” for any outside party then to use while placing a bet.
The Sturridge case is expected to centre on whether information was knowingly passed on. Newcastle and Southampton, as well as Inter, had been interested in signing him.
Sturridge, who has until 6pm next Tuesday to respond to the charge, has told Liverpool that he has never gambled on football. The club have stressed that Sturridge is cooperating fully with the FA’S inquiries. Sturridge’s representative said that they had nothing further to add. The Telegraph has made further efforts to contact Sturridge relating to the Midlands bet.