A few days back, Daniel Sturridge was charged by the FA for failing to comply with its betting rules.
As a footballer, no player can place bets on matches, or in fact anything to do with the sport. What’s more, they cannot pass on privy information to a third party that could be used to gamble, either.
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Sturridge reacts following FA charge for gambling
Sturridge has denied any wrongdoing and promised to comply with the current investigation.
But the Telegraph has released some information which confuses us mightily.
According to their report, a ‘five-figure bet’ was placed by a ‘blue-collar worker’ from the Midlands on Sturridge joining Inter Milan just a few days before he signed for West Brom on loan…
The betting company was shocked by the amount of money put on the move and alerted the FA.
Sturridge didn’t join Inter Milan of course, despite multiple rumours and suggestions that a deal was done…
Why would he tell a friend to put a massive sum of money on the transfer, only to join West Brom instead?
Did the Inter move collapse at the very last minute…? Maybe, but it still seems odd that Sturridge would encourage a friend to gamble money on a switch to Italy before it had been privately confirmed – which is the insinuation from the charge.
We’re not sure it sounds like he should even have a case to answer.