Soccer chief wants to ban players, coaches, officials from betting on English matches

England soccer chief wants ban on betting

LONDON — England’s top soccer official wants a complete ban on betting on the national game by players, managers and officials.

Football Association chairman David Triesman told The Associated Press that he wants to end any ambiguity to protect the integrity of the Premier League and English football in general.

The current English rule only prevents people from placing a bet on a match or competition in which they have a direct involvement.

Triesman told the AP: “The restrictions are fairly limited at the moment, they need to be more widespread and very clear. Anybody who is involved in football shouldn’t bet on football — including me.”

Triesman says there isn’t an “acute problem” in England, but wants to make a pre-emptive move.