The Airtricity League has been rocked by allegations of irregular betting patterns in relation to the Shelbourne v Monaghan United clash last night.
According to a report on Extratime.ie this morning, Shelbourne manager Alan Matthews and Monaghan manager Roddy Collins were both notified by the FAI that there had been evidence of some irregular betting patterns before last night’s game at Tolka Park.
“Fran Gavin (Airtricity League Director) came into the dressing room before the game to tell us that there were irregular betting patterns on the game,” Matthews said.
Collins was also notified, but revealed after the game that he had already been aware of what was going on because one of his players had received a text message from his girlfriend, who works in a bookmakers.
“I knew before the game,” Collins said.
“One of the players had a text from his girlfriend saying that there was irregular betting on a penalty. But I didn’t know.”
The game finished 2-1 to Shelbourne in the end, with the hosts coming from behind after Willo McDonagh put the Mons ahead – ironically, from the penalty spot – early in the second half.
Speaking to Extratime.ie after the game, Collins said he had spoken to his players about the issue before and after the match, but was unprepared to say too much before an investigation into the matter had taken place.
He did say, however, that there would be dire consequences if he finds out that any of his squad had anything to do with it.
“I think it’s something that has to be investigated before you could make a public statement,” he said.
“If anyone ever tried to get involved in something like that I’d bring them straight to a police station and I’d make sure they never kicked a ball again because that for me is the lowest of the low.”
Asked if any of his players might have been involved in the betting scam, Collins said: “If it is the truth I will be absolutely sick to the pit of my stomach. You don’t want to hear about it in the League.”
Obviously it’s early days yet, but if the allegations are proved to have foundation, it would be a huge blow to the integrity of the domestic league, which needs all the support it can get and could do without scandals like this.
We suspect that we haven’t heard the last of this one yet.
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