FAI may seek UEFA's help in betting probe
THE FAI has the option of contacting UEFA for professional criminal assistance if it wishes to expand its investigations into betting practices in the League of Ireland.
Over the past week, the league has been rocked by allegations about the integrity of the game here with concerns about the betting patterns in the Division One clash between Monaghan and Longford and the suspension of St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Gary Dempsey after he admitted backing Galway United against his team in a match where he wasn't involved.
Leading figures within the game such as Dermot Keely and Pete Mahon have expressed concerns about the gambling culture that exists in the league in light of the dramatic events of the past seven days.
The FAI has started an investigation into the Monaghan-Longford game -- where the overall trading levels were reported as 20 times the average by a number of bookmakers -- while the association has also confirmed that it is monitoring the Dempsey situation.
Structures
However, if it wishes to pursue the matter further and feels it lacks the structures to carry out the operation properly, then it may be able to summon UEFA for a more thorough examination of the situation.
In September, UEFA's executive committee sanctioned the recruitment of two full-time staff and four additional disciplinary inspectors with specific experience in criminal investigation to deal with issues related to the integrity of the game.
The unit was instigated due to concerns surrounding 25 games in European competitions over the past couple of years, but is planning to branch out into domestic affairs.
Each one of UEFA's 53 national associations will be asked what procedures are in place in its jurisdiction with relation to the issue of betting. And, if any member requests help due to suspicions over any fixture, then the specially trained unit will be brought in to deal with the matter.
Meanwhile, Dempsey will have to go in front of the St Patrick's Athletic board to explain his actions after his two-week suspension for his indiscretion was confirmed.
The Waterford native admitted to placing a €20 bet on Galway to beat St Pat's last month tied in with a double bet on a Premier League game, which was unsuccessful.
PFAI chief Stephen McGuinness stated yesterday the players union will back the player to the hilt if he is threatened with a lengthy ban or even the termination of his contract as a result of what he concedes was a very serious error of judgement.
McGuinness believes that it would be unjustified after seeking legal advice on the wording of the FAI's rules with relation to betting, which states that: "Anyone who directly or indirectly bets, instructs someone to bet on their behalf, provides others with confidential information or enables another person to bet for that participant's own benefit on a result, conduct or progress of a match or competition in which that person is participating or has control over the result, conduct or progress of a match or competition shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions."
"It's nonsensical to suggest that he is in breach of Rule 100," argues McGuinness. "The ruling clearly states that he has to have participated in the match.
"We are committed to defending Gary against serious disciplinary action from the FAI or St Patrick's Athletic. Some of the media reaction to this issue has been hysterical.
"I'm disappointed with Pete Mahon for coming out as he did talking about this issue. I believe there is a better way we could have done this."
Speaking after his side's 2-1 win over Derry City last night, Saints boss John McDonnell said it was a matter for the authorities but expressed some sympathy for the player.
"It's an executive decision. The people at the club and the FAI have to look at it. He's a good lad. I don't think he's been involved in any stuff like this before.
"We've no history with Gary, he's done very well for me this season. I have to say, it's a difficult situation for everybody."
In the midst of the domestic crisis, a FIFA congress was yesterday told that illegal gambling and match fixing poses a bigger threat to the game than doping.
"It is a bigger threat than doping because of the perception it leaves in the minds of the public," said Detlev Zenglein, analyst for the Early Warning System set up by soccer's ruling body to monitor betting patterns.
"Every time there are rumours it sticks in people's heads and lessens their enthusiasm for sport because they think they might have been cheated."
- Daniel McDonnell
