Merson on gambling bans

GibbosEmpire

GibbosEmpire

Well-known member
Interesting take. I think it's hypocritical of the game to have gambling adverts everywhere, but ban players when they do gamble. You can't say you're taking gambling seriously when it's so available and clubs aren't teaching youngsters about the dangers of it, and to handle their money responsibly.

www.bbc.co.uk

Toney and Tonali gambling bans a disgrace - Merson

Former Arsenal winger Paul Merson says football is "ravaged" with gambling and the bans given to Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali are a "disgrace".
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
The bans aren't a disgrace as there are rules clearly covering this - assume a clause in the players contract? It's the players fault and they have to put their big boy pants on and take whatever punishment is dished out.

Educating young players...... couldn't tell you if clubs do this or not, but they should. Young kid, trains for a few hours a week load of spare time....and money.....

The saturation level of advertising for gambling in football - and in society - is off the scale.

Ban booze advertising. Ban tobacco advertising. Replace with gambling. The fooking hypocrisy of it is an absolute joke. But not a funny one.
 
Don't agree with him that the bans were a disgrace.

They weren't banned because they were gambling, they were banned because they're betting on something that they can directly influence and/or have insider information on.

It calls in to question the integrity of the sport.

Toney and Tonali could have bet on horses to their heart's content and there would have been no punishment.

They should definitely provide advice and support on gambling addiction though.
 
The world of betting / opportunity to legally gamble has changed since the laws were written, it's so much easier now. The football world probably do need to adjust both in regards to helping addiction and how players are punished. It seems to be very black or white at present where as it might need to acknowledge that most players who gamble aren't doing it on the basis of betting and then influencing the outcome to win those bets
 
BeanBeany said:
t need to acknowledge that most players who gamble aren't doing it on the basis of betting and then influencing the outcome to win those bets
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No, but they are ppotentially using their insider knowledge to give them an unfair advantage though, even if they're not directly influencing results.

I personally couldn't give a monkeys if a few bookies take a hit, but that's why they're not allowed to bet on football not just the ability to directly influence.
 
Steer said:
Top level football is awash with money. Ban gambling sponsors. I hate the fact that we have had loads of gambling sponsors over the years, including this season.
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I'd ban it even if the top level wasn't flush with cash. The game will adjust to having less money, if necessary.
 
Agree. Like when tobacco ads were banned etc. Other sponsors will come into replace them.
 
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