FA open spot-fixing investigation into Oxford player after Arsenal FA Cup win

Ciaron Brown booking against Arsenal is currently being investigated by the FA

Following Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Oxford United, the Football Association opened a spot-fixing inquiry due to certain questionable betting patterns.

Investigators will review a professional footballer’s phone records as they probe into suspicions that a betting scam took place during an FA Cup game in England.

The investigation is concentrated on Oxford defender Ciaron Brown, 24, who was issued a yellow card in the 59th minute of Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Oxford.

According to The Daily Mail, their material includes “alleged phone messages” that were allegedly received before the game and which claim that Brown would be arrested for a betting scam.

The Daily Mail reported, “One message is understood to show a betting slip with around £200 staked on Brown being yellow-carded at odds of 8-1.”

According to the story, gamblers contacted the Mail Online to claim they had won thousands of pounds by betting on the booking. Several Arsenal supporters were also spotted rejoicing after it appeared that they had won their bets, and several of them continued to boast about winning big sums.

How many wagers were actually placed before to the game is unclear at this time, but the FA is treating the situation seriously. It’s not the first time the Gunners’ FA Cup match has ended in controversy.

Oxford is fully assisting the probe. Investigators will need access to the player’s mobile phone and any sent and received texts. The detectives will examine any associations between the player and the bettors as well as the locations from which the bets originated.

Some gaming businesses do not accept bets on these occurrences, in order to prevent any issues with spot-fixing.