Lets all laugh at Newcastle

[Tucker]

Was Toney a criminal investigation? Or purely a league thing?
This could be a much more serious issue if the old bill are involved.

Toney was the FA. Don’t think the police were ever involved. But it could be that it’s a similar offence that’s been comitted just that Italian law is different.

 

[McFlash]

Toney was the FA. Don’t think the police were ever involved. But it could be that it’s a similar offence that’s been comitted just that Italian law is different.

That's what I thought.
I read that the police had been seizing computers and phones, which seems a bit more serious so far and certainly more dodgy than a 'simple' betting addiction or rank stupidity.
Certainly going to be interesting to see how this transpires.

 

[robotsonic]

I think they're accused of using "illegal" betting sites, so this is probably as much about taking down some illegal gambling ring/mafia stuff or something into the bag with them having been doing wrong in betting as footballers.

 

[Tucker]

I think they're accused of using "illegal" betting sites, so this is probably as much about taking down some illegal gambling ring/mafia stuff or something into the bag with them having been doing wrong in betting as footballers.

I guess the worry is that they’ve been using illicit gambling sites to get around the safeguards in place to stop footballers betting on football.

 

[tobi]

 

[BorjeSpurs]

I have sympathy that he seems to have a genuine issue with this, but this kind of statement, this early, suggest he can be in big trouble here.

 

[tommo84]

Andy Brassell was on Talksport yesterday saying Tonali could be looking at a 12-18 month ban. His agent’s comments appear to be an admission of guilt.

No idea if the expectation is that he’ll continue to play for Newcastle until this is resolved or how long any investigation is going to take. The Ivan Toney process was so slow it was farcical.

 

[dvdhopeful]

Wonder if this was known when he moved to Newcastle? Did seem an odd transfer.

 

[Col_M]

I have sympathy that he seems to have a genuine issue with this, but this kind of statement, this early, suggest he can be in big trouble here.

I don't believe the Addiction is real, I suspect the Addiction is the line of defence being prepared. That said, having Betting companies sponsor teams, and games etc, is a little hypocritical by the leagues IMO.

 

[KirstyG]

I wonder if the recent allegations about betting causes people to consider whether the sheer volume of betting promotion and sponsorship from betting organisations in football is a good thing. It seems almost every team/stadium/shirt has some sort of sponsorship from these businesses and every half-time has adverts. the digital hordings etc. For ppl who are trying to break away from that world or a close the edge of becoming addicted to gambling it must be horrible.

 

[robbiedee]

I wonder if the recent allegations about betting causes people to consider whether the sheer volume of betting promotion and sponsorship from betting organisations in football is a good thing. It seems almost every team/stadium/shirt has some sort of sponsorship from these businesses and every half-time has adverts. the digital hordings etc. For ppl who are trying to break away from that world or a close the edge of becoming addicted to gambling it must be horrible.

Yep - temptation around every corner for the addicted, and constant reminders for the families harmed by the addicts gambling.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I don’t understand the connection with betting sponsors and players betting on games.

One does not lead to the other. It’s a bright line rule. I am not a fan of betting companies as sponsors - as that is a pretty low class association to make with a club - but that does not force players to break the rules.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

They move quickly in Italy it seems..

 

[robbiedee]

I don’t understand the connection with betting sponsors and players betting on games.

One does not lead to the other. It’s a bright line rule. I am not a fan of betting companies as sponsors - as that is a pretty low class association to make with a club - but that does not force players to break the rules.

You're both right and wrong. It's not as black and white as that.

This isn't the thread to go into it but I do feel the 'addiction' tag has been applied inappropriately in both the Toney and Tonali cases to largely lessen the punishment.

 

[Tucker]

I don’t understand the connection with betting sponsors and players betting on games.

One does not lead to the other. It’s a bright line rule. I am not a fan of betting companies as sponsors - as that is a pretty low class association to make with a club - but that does not force players to break the rules.

You’re right, one doesn’t necessarily lead to the other. But gambling advertising has pretty much normalised gambling in Europe over the last 20 years or so. When I was in my early 20s gambling was seen as a vice, a dangerous past time that could easily lead to addiction. Aside from horse racing, you didn’t really see a big presence as far as gambling went on live tv.

But then the government changed the rules and allowed more adverts and at earlier times. Now you can’t watch tv without seeing some kind of gambling advert, be that a lottery, bingo, online casinos, or sports betting. It’s even more incessant during sports broadcasts, with live odds flashed up during breaks. You no longer have to go to a depressing little betting shop to make your bet, or make a social night out going to the bingo or casino. Now you can do it on your phone, instant gratification.

Gambling has become big business, profits for betting firms are astronomical compared to twenty years ago. It’s become normal, in no small part down to its association with football. I grew up thinking that gambling was something to be wary of, to keep at arms length. But a whole generation, of which todays footballers are a part of, have grown up with it completely normalised, sponsoring their clubs, their kits, their broadcasters and training facilities.

Football has had a role in the growth of gambling, and it doesn’t sit well with me that the clubs, authorities and broadcasters are more than happy to entwine themselves with the gambling firms, but woe betide any player who dares put a bet on. It’s either a past time that’s normal and fun, or it’s something with myriad issues and pitfalls, they can’t have it both ways.

Sorry this turned into a bit of a rant.

 

[Japhet]

Was Toney a criminal investigation? Or purely a league thing?
This could be a much more serious issue if the old bill are involved.

I'd be surprised if it's not investigated by the Cops. Betting companies could have been defrauded.

 

[wakefieldyid]

I'd be surprised if it's not investigated by the Cops. Betting companies could have been defrauded.

... particularly as he admitted betting on matches in which he was playing.

 

[Col_M]

They move quickly in Italy it seems..

I’ll wait to see if that’s official. Impressive if it is.

 

[DFF]

They move quickly in Italy it seems..

Basta Fagioli!

 

[BorjeSpurs]

I’ll wait to see if that’s official. Impressive if it is.

Italian Sky have confirmed these reports, FYI.