Football Crazy

I was struck by the lack of moral outrage in parts of the footballing world after the Rangers player - Ian Black - was fined £7,500 and handed a 10 match suspension (7 of which are suspended) by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

The player admitted a long history of betting on football games - despite the fact that the SFA  operates a zero tolerance approach to gambling - which restricts players from betting on any football match anywhere in the world.

So it was no surprise that Ian Black was handed a hefty fine and ban after admitting charges of betting on three football matches on his then-registered club not to win - and betting on a further 10 football matches that involved his own club.

The player's bets on a further 147 football matches resulted in Black receiving a 'warning' about his future conduct.

Football in Scotland attracts more than its fair share of 'head cases' - and it needs a 'laddish' gambling culture getting a hold of the game about as much as it needs another hole in its head.