• Premier League

Arsenal investigate betting claims

ESPN staff
September 6, 2013

Arsenal are investigating tweets suggesting one of the club's academy coaches bet on the signing of Mesut Ozil "as a matter of urgency". Ozil arrived at Arsenal on transfer deadline day from Real Madrid for a club-record £42.5 million fee.

Mark Arber, 35, who coaches for the Gunners' academy and whose father Bob is also a scout for the Premier League side, reportedly tweeted: "Lovely bit of 14-1 Mesut".

Arber, a former professional footballer, spent last season at Conference side Dartford and previously enjoyed spells with Dagenham & Redbridge and Peterborough as well as Barnet, Oldham and Stevenage.

Accrington Stanley managing director Robert Heys was recently given a 21-month ban by the Football Association for breaching their betting regulations 735 times.

In a statement he admitted to making over 200 bets on games involving his own club, including 37 matches in which he had backed Accrington to lose.

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend and Crystal Palace striker Cameron Jerome have also fallen foul in recent months. Townsend was given a ban and fined while Jerome was fined.

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close