Players at centre of betting probe tell their stories

IN exclusive interviews with the Sentinel, three Limavady United players subject to an Irish FA investigation into alleged betting incidents today tell their side of the story for the first time.

The Irish FA have instigated an investigation into alleged betting issues, with three Limavady United players suspended by the club to allow the IFA to conduct its investigation.

A spokesperson for Limavady United FC said: “The club received a request for information in a letter from the IFA on Thursday and conducted a preliminary inquiry on Saturday afternoon.

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“As a result of which it took the decision to suspend three members of the playing staff until May 1, 2013 to allow the Association to conduct its investigation.”

It is believed an online bookmaker has supplied the IFA with their records of bets placed ahead of Dergview’s recent two-nil victory over Limavady.

Under rules, players cannot bet in leagues that they play in.

Two of the three players say they have done no wrong, while the third player said that he was unaware he was breaking any rules - and that the bet was placed on behalf of his father.

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The three players, who have not yet been named by the club, today tell the Sentinel their side of the story.

One, goalkeeper Laurence McCormick, said that he has nothing to fear from any investigation because he has done nothing wrong.

Another, Trevor Parkhill, admits placing a bet using his own account but said that it was made on behalf of his father as part of his “usual wager.”

Mr Parkhill said that he was not aware this was against regulations but that he will now ‘hold his hands up’ even though he was not aware he was breaking any rules at the time.

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Meanwhile, the third player subject to investigation, Richard Close, denies any wrongdoing.

He said that he has been told he is subject to the investigation because bets were placed on the Dergview game on a computer previously used by Mr Close.

The Limavady United player said, however, that this bet was placed on a family computer by his brother and through his brother’s account – something he has “no control” over.

A spokesperson for the Irish FA said: “Although this is an international week, the IFA takes any such reports of inappropriate betting extremely serious and we have staff working on the case and we hope to come to our conclusions as soon as possible.”