FA Under Fire: Premier League Owners Bet on Football While Players Get Banned

^{Pictured: Brentford Director Matthew Benham}

The Guardian has exposed a shocking double standard by the Football Association of England (FA). The reporters claim that some Premier League club owners are secretly betting on football matches while the FA is cracking down on players for doing the same.

Three Club Owners Involved

The Guardian’s investigation reveals that bets on football matches were made on behalf of Matthew Benham, the current director of Brentford FC. These bets were done through a small London-based firm called MSPP Admin.

Benham is the main sponsor of MSPP Admin and has a close connection with one of the co-owners, as well as the former owner of Brentford, Philip Whall.

There is no proof that Benham bet on UK matches or profited from his bets. But betting on football by a club official is a serious breach of FA rules.

Since 2014, all football officials and players have been banned from betting on football, with hefty fines and suspensions for offenders.

Ironically, Brentford FC’s player, Ivan Toney, is currently serving an 8-month ban for similar activities.

The Guardian also reports that, besides Benham, current executives of Brighton & Hove Albion and Stoke City (now in the Championship) have also been betting without any consequences. The journalists say that the FA knows about this illegal activity but does nothing about it.

How the Club and the FA Reacted

Brentford FC has responded to The Guardian’s article, saying that Benham follows all FA rules, but not addressing the betting through MSPP Admin.

The FA has only given vague statements about monitoring rule violations and holding wrongdoers accountable.