Black facing betting probe

Rangers midfielder Ian Black has been accused by the SFA of betting against his own team three times. Black has been accused of betting against his “then-registered club” three times since 2006.

Former Caley Thistle midfielder Ian Black has been accused by the SFA of betting against his own team three times.

The Rangers player, who left Inverness in 2009 to join Hearts before leaving for Ibrox last year, has been accused of betting against his “then-registered club” three times between March 4, 2006 and July 28, 2013.

The period in question covers Black’s career in Scotland with Caley Jags, the Jambos and Rangers.

Black has also been charged with breaching the SFA’s disciplinary rule 22 by betting on a further 10

“No evidence to suggest any breach of rule 23”

football matches that involved then-registered club and betting on a further 147 football matches. The allegations include 160 games over a seven-year period.

Black has until Monday to respond and a hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, September 12.

It is understood the charges encompass his spells at each of his last three clubs.

The rule in question states: “No club official, team official or other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall bet in any way on a football match (except authorised and registered football pools).”

The SFA confirmed the ban on gambling applied to any football match anywhere in the world. The range of punishments includes a fine, suspension or expulsion from the game.

The governing body also stated that there was no evidence to suggest any breach of rule 23, which prohibits players and officials knowingly behaving in a “manner, during or in connection with amatch in which the party has participated or has any influence, either direct or indirect, which could give rise to an event in which they or any third party benefits financially through betting”.

On the first date mentioned in the notice of complaint, Black played 90 minutes for Inverness in a 1-0 home defeat by Motherwell, which cut Caley Thistle’s lead on ‘the Lanarkshire side ’ Well to three points in the chase for a top-six place.

Onthe final date in question Black scored in a 4-0 Ramsdens Cup victory for Rangers against Albion Rovers.

Both Rangers and Caley Thistle confirmed they were aware of the charges, but declined to comment further.