Sutton United goalkeeper Wayne Shaw is to be investigated by the Gambling Commission after the fan-favourite ate a pie during the club’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Shaw was spotted muching on a pie in the 82nd minute of the match
The betting regulator has confirmed it is looking into the incident, with the club’s days-old sponsor SunBets having promoted an 8/1 bet on Shaw eating a pie during the match.
Shaw, 46, acknowledged after the match he knew about a bookmaker offering the bet, raising questions as to whether he breached strict FA betting rules.
FA rules state: "No participant can bet on a match or competition in which they are involved that season, or which they can influence, or any other football-related matter concerning the league that they play in.
"Participants are also prohibited from using or passing inside information for betting."
Players can face lenghy bans from the sport over any breaches.
Sutton had prompted anger among some football supporters after agreeing a one-off sponsorship deal with the tabloid Sun newspaper’s betting website before the match.
Pictures circulated on Twitter soon after the match of Sunbets promotion, with some supporters soon branding the move a "publicity stunt".
An unofficial fan forum called the paper a “tainted brand” following its grossly inaccurate reporting of the Hillsborough disaster, during which 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed.
- Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6315 or send an email to jonathan.mitchell@london.newsquest.co.uk
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