Top soccer players are under-performing because of gambling, research says

Some top soccer players are under-performing because of worries about gambling losses, new research says.

Players are also using online betting sites to conceal their gambling from their partners, the British Sociological Association’s annual conference in Birmingham was told today [Thursday 7 April 2016].

Graeme Law, of the University of Chester, interviewed 34 current and former professional football players, including international and Premiership players as well as those in lower leagues.

Players talked about how worries caused by gambling – usually poker games on the coach or at hotels before matches – had impaired performances on the pitch.  Read more>