Scottish Football in the Dock Again

14 Betting Violations in Scottish Football

Gavin Swankie of Arbroath has been served with a notice of complaint for allegedly violating nine Scottish FA gambling laws.

The allegations relate to a period spanning more than a decade, including the present campaign.

Swankie is charged with seven violations of rule 31, which states: “No club, official, team official, or other member of team staff, player, match official, or other individual subject to the Scottish FA’s jurisdiction shall gamble on a football match in any way.”

Additionally, two prior violations of regulations 22 (2012/13) and 33 (2013/14) are charged, both of which include football betting.

The Scottish FA has set a tentative date of February 18 for the hearing, which will take place through Zoom, as has become typical for disciplinary issues.

If Swankie is found guilty, the consequences range from a ‘lower end’ three-game penalty to a ‘high end’ 16-game suspension.

Swankie’s complaint was one of FOURTEEN issued by the Scottish FA on Friday, all of which included alleged gambling offences.

Dougie Imrie, the newly appointed manager of Morton, Gordon Young, the assistant manager of Cove Rangers, and five separate Elgin players — Adrian Sopel, Conor O’Keefe, Darryl McHardy, Matthew Cooper, and Thomas McHale — were all charged.

Additionally, Shane Sutherland (Inverness CT), Rabin Omar (Stirling Albion), James McGowan (Albion Rovers), Bryan Gilfillan (Threave Rovers), Ashley Ballam (Strathspey Thistle), and Robert Scott (Deveronvale) will face hearings.

New Contract

Swankie, 38, just agreed to a new deal that will keep him in Gayfield till the season’s end.

He is currently in his 13th season with the Lichties, having made more than 200 appearances for his hometown club throughout four stints.

Swankie assisted Arbroath in winning the former Division Three championship in 2011 and the League 1 title in 2019.

However, the dynamic forward has been limited to nine first-team appearances for table-topping Arbroath this season.

Swankie, a long-time Angus favourite, was a Station Park hero throughout his five-year tenure at Forfar Athletic. Additionally, he has played for Dundee and St Johnstone.