English FA Wants Betting Ban for Players, Coaches

England's top soccer official wants a complete ban on betting on the sport by players, managers and officials.

Outlining the proposed measures, Football Association chairman David Triesman told The Associated Press that he wants to end any ambiguity to protect the integrity of the Premier League and English soccer in general.

The current rules only prevent people from placing a bet on a match or competition in which they have a direct involvement.

"The restrictions are fairly limited at the moment," Triesman said. "They need to be more widespread and very clear. Anybody who is involved in football shouldn't bet on football -- including me."

Triesman does not believe there is an "acute problem" in England, but wants to take pre-emptive action with changes reflecting those implemented in Italy four years ago.

The AP revealed last month that UEFA is investigating 40 matches of suspected match-fixing, mainly from the early stages of the Champions League and Europa League and mostly involving eastern European clubs.

Triesman, a former government minister, blames unscrupulous individuals, not the betting industry, for the problems. He said the proposed rules were made strict out of a desire for clarity.

That means a Premier League player or manager will not be allowed to bet on a match in the second-tier League Championship -- even if they don't have any vested interest in the game.

"You could say that's a bit restrictive. After all, somebody who could perceivably not have an involvement in a game, why should you stop them getting involved in a bit of gambling?" Triesman said. "But the rules need to be specifically clear so that anybody, everybody, couldn't really mistake what the rule is. That's why I'm attracted by a very, very simple rule."

Four players were fined and suspended earlier this year for betting on their team's game in a suspected match-fixing scheme in English football's League Two.

The FA's disciplinary commission said three of the four players had bet on Accrington to lose in May against Bury, which won 2-0.

"It's not an acute problem," Triesman said. "What I do know is, if you ever let it slip and the integrity of your sport begins to be damaged, you are on the path towards dying."

A British government panel headed by former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is currently investigating betting laws in Britain, but is not expected to recommend draconian measures in a report due before the end of the year.