Says Chief Executive Gordon Taylor
The recent stories about the so-called problem of professional footballers gambling away thousands of pounds have been well-documented in this week's national newspapers following the revelations of former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino that he witnessed an unnamed England player lose £30,000 in card schools during last summer's World Cup.
Furthermore, this delicate subject took on a new dimension with the subsequent comments of Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the PFA's Player of the Year for 2002, who has suggested that the high wages of top players has fuelled the 'gambling problem' which exists in the game.
But PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor, whilst recognising the seriousness of certain individual cases, maintains that the general issue should be kept in perspective.
Gordon says: "Such has been the almost hysterical nature of some of the stories we have read this week, that you would think that gambling in football is a new thing. It's not, as anyone who has been involved in the game is well aware. In truth, gambling and football have gone hand in hand since the sport began.
"The very nature of sportsmen, and women, is such that they get a buzz from winning. They are prepared to take risks and like a challenge. In fact, their very attempt to become a professional footballer is a gamble in itself compared to the security of other professions.
"Few people in the sport would be surprised to hear such stories because gambling isn't new. Perhaps the size of the losses being quoted would seem quite alarming to some but you have to remember that, with wages being so much higher for the top players thesedays, the stakes are higher and so the losses are going to be greater as a result. It is important however, as with most things in life, not to allow the gambling to become excessive.
"It is also important to keep things in perspective and remember that card schools, for example, have been part and parcel of football for many, many years. Players have to make long journeys and have numerous overnight stays in hotels, and these card games are a form of release. Although, as we have seen in the cases of people like Paul Merson, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Keith Gillespie, some individuals can take things too far and get into serious financial trouble.
"When you are down it is hard to get out of it, and you end up chasing losses. In a number of cases gambling becomes an addiction which needs treatment, just like alcoholism. It is in such extreme cases that the PFA continues to work closely with the Priory Clinic, as well as Tony Adams' Sporting Chance Clinic, helping to provide players with the necessary funds to undergo the necessary treatment.
"Then, of course, as part of the scholarship programme - which we continue to fund for the benefit of 16-19-year-olds - there are courses in such lifestyle aspects as drug awareness, alcohol abuse as well as gambling, and we hope that it won't be long before we (the PFA), the players and their clubs are bearing the fruit of our labours; producing better professionals and more rounded individuals.
"We are aware of the vulnerability of young players who earn good money at an early age and who are tempted to buy drugs, accept drinks from hangers-on and even be offered free bets, initially, by bookmakers seeking a long-term return.
"Of course, when it comes to top professionals earning high wages, it is down to club managers to keep control of card schools and the like, ideally through the club captain, and keep everything in proportion because, amongst other things, it can seriously affect team spirit if large amounts of money are owed by a player to a teammate.
"As I have said, gambling has gone on in football since the sport began and will no doubt continue to do so for years to come. But players should be aware of the pitfalls of excessive gambling and not allow it to become an addiction."
Gordon Taylor
Chief Executive
