Brighton Football Club owner Tony Bloom is under scrutiny over allegations that he has been betting on his own team, a claim that has sparked concerns among football officials and fans alike.
According to reports, Bloom, who is also one of the world's most successful professional gamblers, faces a separate UK court case alleging he uses frontmen to place substantial bets for a gambling syndicate he controls, including claims that he used Nigel Farage's former aide, George Cottrell.
The allegations come in the wake of another US legal action against Bloom, which seeks information on who benefited from a lucrative winning streak. While Bloom has denied being involved in betting on his own teams or competitions involving them, a source close to him described the claims as "entirely false".
MPs have called for an investigation into the allegations, with Labour MP Clive Efford questioning why some club owners were given a carve-out to bet on football while others are not. Efford stated that severe sanctions have been imposed on players for betting on matches and owners should be held to the same rules.
The Football Association (FA) is also being urged to investigate the claims, with chair of the all-party parliamentary group on football Clive Betts stating that it demonstrates a "potentially very serious problem" that needs a thorough investigation.
Bloom's betting activities have been audited annually by a leading accountancy firm to check and confirm that he has not placed bets on his own teams or competitions involving them. However, if the allegations are proved, this could be a breach of FA rules.
The controversy surrounding Bloom's betting activities raises questions about the governance of football clubs and the transparency of regulations governing betting in the sport.
According to reports, Bloom, who is also one of the world's most successful professional gamblers, faces a separate UK court case alleging he uses frontmen to place substantial bets for a gambling syndicate he controls, including claims that he used Nigel Farage's former aide, George Cottrell.
The allegations come in the wake of another US legal action against Bloom, which seeks information on who benefited from a lucrative winning streak. While Bloom has denied being involved in betting on his own teams or competitions involving them, a source close to him described the claims as "entirely false".
MPs have called for an investigation into the allegations, with Labour MP Clive Efford questioning why some club owners were given a carve-out to bet on football while others are not. Efford stated that severe sanctions have been imposed on players for betting on matches and owners should be held to the same rules.
The Football Association (FA) is also being urged to investigate the claims, with chair of the all-party parliamentary group on football Clive Betts stating that it demonstrates a "potentially very serious problem" that needs a thorough investigation.
Bloom's betting activities have been audited annually by a leading accountancy firm to check and confirm that he has not placed bets on his own teams or competitions involving them. However, if the allegations are proved, this could be a breach of FA rules.
The controversy surrounding Bloom's betting activities raises questions about the governance of football clubs and the transparency of regulations governing betting in the sport.
... I mean, I'm all for people making money, but come on! Betting on your own team? That's just shady 
. And now they're saying he's got frontmen placing bets for some big-time gambling syndicate? That sounds like a recipe for disaster 
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... it's all about who you know and how much dough you can throw around. And what really gets my goat is that they're not holding themselves to the same standards as players who get caught betting on matches 
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... the FA needs to get its act together and make sure these owners are held accountable for their actions. Otherwise, it's just going to lead to more scandals and erosion of trust in the sport 
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. I mean, I get that he's a big-time gambler and all, but that doesn't make it right. Its not like he's breaking the law or anything, but if he is skirting around the rules, then thats not cool.
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. This is a big deal, folks, don't @ me 
i mean, who bets on their own team? it just seems so corrupt and fishy 
but at the same time, the fact that some big club owners are getting away with it kinda raises questions about how the whole system works. shouldn't they be held to the same rules as players, you know? it's like one rule for them and another for everyone else 
i guess that's just how these things go down, though. investigation after investigation...it's a real shame, 'cause football should be about the love of the game, not money and corruption 
this is getting outta hand... what's next? 
This is just getting outta hand - richest owner in football gets away with it? 
and ppl who arent following rules are being called out 
why isnt he just like everyone else? 
. Like I get it, we've all been guilty of throwing a tenner on our fave team at some point, but this is different. Apparently he's got some major connections with other gamblers and stuff, which raises some serious red flags 
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Tony Bloom's reputation is taking a hit, but what if it's all just part of a bigger mess? 
The Football Association needs to get its act together and ensure that all owners are held to the same standards. 
Meanwhile, fans like me are left wondering if our beloved teams are being compromised by corruption behind the scenes. 
like he's gotta do somethin wrong 4 bettin on his own team? idk wut the big deal is, he's a successful businessman & gambler, lets leave him alone 
. And what's even more concerning is the fact that some MPs are already calling for an investigation into this, which suggests that there might be some underlying issues with the governance of football clubs 
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. We need more transparency and accountability in football, you know? I mean, players get slammed for betting on matches but owners seem to be able to get away with it? Not cool 
I mean, if it's true, he could be violating some serious FA rules. And why was there this carve-out for club owners to bet on football while others get busted? It just doesn't add up.
If Bloom is guilty, he should face some serious consequences. I feel for fans who might be misled by his actions. This whole thing needs to be investigated thoroughly.
️ It's not too much to ask, right?
. I know, it sounds weird, but hear me out. If he's using frontmen to place bets for a gambling syndicate, that's just shady business 
... I think I need a snack 
. Can someone please clarify what's going on here?