Liverpool: The father of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is one of nine men who were arrested on Thursday in connection with alleged betting irregularities at a Scottish Premier League match last year.
Wayne Rooney senior, 48, is understood to have been arrested at his home in the West Derby area of Liverpool in an operation by police in Merseyside and Glasgow. The England striker's uncle, Richie, 54, was also detained.
The arrests were made following a nine-month investigation into betting patterns surrounding the sending sending off of Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings in the club's SPL game against Hearts on December 14 last year.
The Scottish Football association confirmed on Thursday that Liverpool-born Jennings, 26, was himself arrested at his home in Glasgow by Merseyside police on behalf of the Gambling Commission. The other eight men were all arrested on Merseyside.
Jennings was shown a straight red card in the 83rd minute of the match in question for placing his hands on referee Stevie O'Reilly after a penalty appeal was turned down. Some reports have alleged that the former Tranmere Rovers player accused O'Reilly of “cheating” Motherwell.
Bookmakers flagged up the incident when it emerged that a number of bets had been made on a player to be sent off in the match. Two members of the Association of British Bookmakers, including online betting company Blue Square, are understood to have reported their concerns the day after the match.
A Merseyside police statement said: "Detectives have today executed warrants at 10 addresses across Merseyside and Glasgow and arrested nine men as part of an investigation into suspicious betting activity.
"The arrests are the culmination of a joint operation with the Gambling Commission and the nine who have been arrested for conspiracy to defraud are being interviewed by detectives.
"Those arrested are a 29-year-old from Bootle, a 48-year-old from West Derby, a 54-year-old from Norris Green, a 26-year-old from Croxteth, a 22-year-old from Kirkdale, a 31-year-old from Litherland, a 68-year-old from Fazakerley, a 36-year-old from Kirkby and a 26-year-old from Glasgow.
"The investigation relates to a match between Motherwell and Hearts on 14 December 2010."
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said in a statement: "While the investigation involves several other individuals outwith Scotland, it is important to stress that the evidence gathered throughout this thorough period of investigation has involved only one Scottish match.
"Motherwell FC are aware of the situation and will issue a response in due course. The Scottish FA will make no further comment at this stage."
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