14 players and coaches cited by SFA for alleged involvement in gambling

Six current Elgin City players have been cited

Author: Liam RossPublished 14th Jan 2022
Last updated 14th Jan 2022

14 players and coaches across Scottish football have been served a notice of complaint relating to alleged gambling offences.

Current Morton manager Dougie Imrie is one of those involved, with charges dating back to the 2011/12 season.

Caley Thistle striker Shane Sutherland has been listed along with six current Elgin City players.

This includes Darryl McHardy, Matthew Cooper, Conor O'Keefe, Aiden Sopel, Tom McHale and Rabin Omar.

Arbroath midfielder Gavin Swankie, Cove Rangers coach Gordon Young, James McGowan Robert Scott, Ashley Ballam, and Bryan Gilfillan have also been listed on the SFA's disciplinary update today.

The Scottish FA’s Judicial Panel Protocol rule 31 states: “No club, official, team official or other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall gamble in any way on a football match.”

Morton released at statement earlier saying Imrie will have the "full backing and support of the Greenock Morton Board during this process."

They said: "Greenock Morton can today confirm that it has received a Notice of Complaint from the Scottish FA Compliance Officer relating to alleged historic breaches of it’s gambling rules by our First Team Manager, Dougie Imrie.

"The Notice relates to incidents between 2011 and 2019 while Dougie was a player.

"The club and Dougie have cooperated fully with the SFA throughout the investigation and will continue to do so.

"Dougie will be providing written submissions in response to the Notice in the coming days.

"Dougie will have the full backing and support of the Greenock Morton Board during this process.

"Once written submissions have been provided to the SFA, we will provide a further update to supporters."

Elgin City have also released a statement.

They said: "We’ve been advised of the Notices of Complaint by the SFA.

"We will speak to our players, our lawyers and the SFA in order to determine the most appropriate way to proceed, and if necessary we will issue a further statement in due course."