FA Warning On Betting Syndicates

Premier League appeals to football clubs to be vigilant In the football sector, the UK Premier League has written to the clubs under its authority, urging vigilance after it emerged that informants with links to Asian betting syndicates have been passing on live information during academy matches. The Telegraph newspaper reports that the warning follows an incident during a recent Leeds United academy game when a spectator was seen relaying match information through a hands-free mobile phone. He was challenged by staff at the ground and admitted that he was liaising with a group in the Far East. Although not illegal, passing on information can be beneficial to gamblers as it is often more immediate than live feeds, meaning that bets can be placed before the odds have been adjusted, the newspaper explains. The Premier League has also informed stewards and safety officers at senior matches to be on the alert following several incidents of people relaying information over a mobile phone. Huw Jennings, the director of the Fulham academy, told the newspaper that betting on academy football by Asian syndicates was a worrying development. "They have informants who come and try to get in and commentate on the games to provide opportunities for betting. It's not healthy. "When I was working for the Premier League, I was aware this practice was taking place. We need to be very vigilant and challenge people appropriately," he said.