A scandal is brewing. Brighton owner Tony Bloom denies allegations of betting on his own club's matches
Brighton owner Tony Bloom has categorically denied allegations that he allegedly placed bets on his own team's games. Several British publications reported that the billionaire could be the anonymous gambler who pocketed £52 million, and that these bets supposedly included Seagulls matches.
Earlier, The Guardian published information suggesting Bloom was linked to a secret betting syndicate with a turnover of around £600 million. The source also claimed that Bloom might be a professional gambler operating under the alias John Doe, a figure mentioned in a US court case.
In a statement released on Bloom's behalf, he asserted that since acquiring the club in 2009, he has never placed a bet on Brighton matches. He labeled the accusations as "untrue and misleading" and revealed that his lawyers have already contacted The Guardian.
It is worth recalling that, under Football Association rules, club owners are prohibited from betting on matches or tournaments involving their teams. However, Bloom is among those owners allowed to bet on other football competitions, thanks to an FA policy introduced in 2014.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
