Overview
- Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom rejected reports that he wagered on his club’s matches, stating he has not bet on any Brighton game since taking over in 2009.
- Bloom said his football wagers are reviewed each year by a leading accountancy firm to ensure compliance with the FA policy that permits limited owner betting but forbids bets on their own teams or competitions.
- The Guardian linked Bloom to a US case seeking to identify a $70m “John Doe” winner and reported separate UK high court claims alleging a £600m-a-year syndicate used frontmen, including George Cottrell, to place bets.
- Bloom’s lawyers contacted the Guardian over what he called inaccurate allegations, and Brighton said it is in contact with the FA and the Premier League, while Bloom intends to file a defence in the UK case.
- MPs urged the FA to investigate and review its policy on owner betting; the FA declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.