Ex-footballer admits role in spread-betting attempt

Former footballer Matthew Le Tissier has admitted his role in a failed spread-betting scam whilst playing in an 1995 English Premier League match for Southampton against Wimbledon.

Le Tissier, who also represented England at international level, attempted to fix the time of the first throw-in during the match by deliberately over-hitting a long pass. His attempt failed however, when a team-mate chased down his wayward 'pass'.

Associates of Le Tissier had put money on the time of the first throw-in with the footballer receiving a payoff if the bet was succesful. In the end, the ball went out of play at a neutral time, which meant all bets were returned.

He claims to have agreed to the scam as Southampton were safe from relegation and he believed the throw-in would not alter the game's outcome.

"Obviously I'd never have done anything that might have affected the outcome of the match, but I couldn't see a problem with making a few quid on the time of the first throw-in."

SOURCE: TeamTalk