Soccer Scandal for Spurs
Tottenham winger Andros Townsend will have treatment for a gambling problem at the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire after being charged by the Football Association with betting offences.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who was on loan at QPR between January and the end of the season, withdrew from the England Under-21 squad for this summer’s European Championship in Israel when the charges became public on Friday.
Townsend’s betting activity is not connected to match-fixing although sources say it was flagged up by bookmakers to the FA as ‘irregular’.
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Todd’s Take: Most people reading the article will see this gambling story as problematic and part of an epidemic among European soccer players but I see it differently. Considering there was no impropriety in Tottenham games where he was directly involved, credit the league and club for being proactive in seeking a solution. Addressing the issue publicly speaks volumes about how seriously the EPL takes gambling rather than sweeping it under the rug pretending these types of incidents don’t take place. Stopping the gambling by offering solutions to the problem prevent situations from escalating to match fixing as players seek “alternatives” to pay off potential debts. One thing I continue to support and will for the foreseeable future is how European Football associations understand gambling will take place so instead of ignoring it’s existence, they remain ready to forge solutions not only to protect the integrity of their sport but also the safety of their players.
