Dundee to assist police over betting allegations

DUNDEE have promised to assist Police Scotland with their inquiries after midfielder Paul McGowan and former Dens striker Leigh Griffiths were questioned over allegations of suspicious betting patterns surrounding a match in the Premiership. Sportsmail first revealed the concerns of bookmakers after a game between Dundee and Hearts on December 18 last year. Hearts won the game 1-0 thanks to a late strike from Jamie Walker. Several gambling firms raised concerns over a number of bets placed on yellow cards for Dundee players. We revealed yesterday how Police Scotland had arrested three men aged 37, 35 and 32 in a pre-planned operation on Thursday ‘in connection with an investigation into alleged gambling incidents in sport’. In a statement released yesterday, the Dens Park outfit confirmed: ‘Dundee Football Club are aware of the ongoing Police Scotland investigation as reported in the media this morning. ‘The club will support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.’ While Griffiths is currently without a club, McGowan remains an employee of Dundee. He arrived at the club’s Gardyne facility yesterday

to continue his recovery from a knee injury. Ruled out of today’s Championship clash at Inverness, he recently made his 300th appearance for the Dark Blues. It’s understood that the third man arrested and questioned by police is involved in football at Junior level. With the matter now the subject of a live police investigation, the Scottish FA will await the outcome of any potential criminal action before the new compliance officer decides whether to refer the matter to a judicial panel. Leading bookmakers have agreements with the SFA to exchange any intelligence on irregular betting patterns surrounding Scottish football and also have the option of making a complaint to Police Scotland.