Probe into SPL red card betting

An investigation is underway into irregular betting activity in Motherwell’s 2-1 Scottish Premier League loss to Hearts on Tuesday.

The Association of British Bookmakers is investigating the sending off of Motherwell midfielder Steven Jennings in the 83rd minute of the match at Fir Park.

A statement from the Scottish Football Association said it is aware of the Bookmakers’ Association inquiry into the red card.

“We are aware of alleged betting irregularities surrounding a sending-off incident,” the statement said.

“At this stage, we are not in possession of the facts regarding the allegations and are waiting for further information from the Scottish Premier League in due course.”

“Once we are in possession of all of the facts, we will be in a better position to provide more detailed comment on the matter.”

The BBC reported several wagers were placed on a red card being shown during the match, including one bet placed in Liverpool of 500 pounds at odds of 10 to one.

A spokesperson for bookmaker Blue Square told the BBC there had been activity on his company’s website, and those of competitors, that warranted scrutiny.

“We keep in touch with all other bookmakers and we were discussing this market with another bookmaker and they reported some suspicious activity and asked us to have a look and see what we’d actually taken on the match,” Alan Alger said.

“What we mean by suspicious is new accounts opening up and trying to back that specific outcome.”

“When we revisited the market for the Motherwell red card, it was pretty clear there had been some suspicious activity on our side of things – then we obviously contacted other bookmakers and the regulatory authorities as well.”

For his part, Jennings said he is shocked by the investigation into his sending off.

The 26-year-old appeared to be dismissed for placing a hand on referee Stevie O’Reilly’s shoulder after the official turned down a penalty claim, but Jennings stated he has no knowledge of any betting on the sending off.

“I want to make it clear I had no involvement whatsoever in any betting scam. I want to clear my name as quickly as possible,” Jennings told the Scottish Sun.

Motherwell chairman John Boyle was quick to throw his support behind the former Tranmere Rovers midfielder.

“I’d be amazed if Steve got himself involved in anything like that,” he told the Daily Record.

“I was in the dressing room after the match and the player was totally distraught.”

“If that wasn’t genuine emotion from him he is a better actor than Laurence Olivier. I think this whole thing is mischief-making.”

“I’d be astonished by any allegations or implications.”