Corruption rife in sport, says Robertson

UK sports minister Hugh Robertson says corruption is sport’s biggest problem after the arrest of nine people for betting irregularities.

Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings was red-carded in the Scottish Premier League clash his side played against Hearts on December 14, and it is alleged he and Wayne Rooney’s father and uncle – along with six others – were involved in a spot-fixing rort.

Wayne Rooney Sr, 48, is understood to have been arrested at his Liverpool home on Thursday, but has since been bailed, and he has denied the allegations.

Robertson said corruption was a major problem and need to be solved worldwide.

“I think corruption in sport is one of the most serious issues facing us at the moment,” Robertson said.

“The IOC (International Olympic Committee) president Jacques Rogge has being saying for some time that he thinks corruption in sport and the threat of it is the most serious issue facing sport.”

“I’ve personally been very involved in his anti-corruption initiative that’s due to report in the autumn. This is something that’s just never going to go away I’m afraid.”

“There’s a certain amount we can solve in this country. If you can ever have an encouraging thing out of what’s happened the last 24 hours at least it is being picked up in this country.”

Meanwhile, reigning Olympic 400m champion LaShawn Merritt was given the all-clear to defend his title in London.

Under IOC rules, athletes convicted of doping offences are prohibited in taking part at the next Olympics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban placed on the American in a move that could open the door for English sprinter Dwain Chambers to compete in London, but Robertson said the British Olympic Association had no intention of changing their lifetime ban rule.

“I’m sad that the IOC have lost this case today. But that doesn’t mean it’s the end for the British by-law, which is something that I have always supported,” Robertson said.

“The BOA case is different because they have a right of appeal, which the IOC don’t. I hope that enables us to carry on continuing to enforce the BOA by-law and crucially that’s what the athletes want. 95 percent of them want this by-law to remain.”