Caley Thistle defender Lewis Horner cited by SFA over betting
CALEY Thistle defender Lewis Horner has received a notice of complaint from the Scottish FA in relation to match betting.
The complaint says he placed 343 bets this season, including one on an accumulator against his own team as well as 12 bets between July 2011 and June 2012 he placed 12 bets, of which two of the accumulators were against his own club.
Horner has until this Monday (May 15) to respond to the complaint.
The Highland capital club revealed the news in a statement issued late on Tuesday afternoon and that they had discussed their concerns with the player.
The statement disclosed that Horner, who signed on a free transfer in 2014, has previously sought professional help in relation to gambling addiction. He has also expressed contrition for the embarrassment it has caused himself and the club.
Horner has not featured in the Caley Thistle first team since the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in December. He had been sidelined through injury at the start of the year but recently returned to full fitness.
The Caley Thistle statement read: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are aware that Lewis Horner has been served with a Scottish Football Association Notice of Complaint in relation to match betting.
Upon speaking to Lewis he informed us that he had previously suffered from problems with gambling; for which he had sought professional help.
Lewis regrets that, having previously received counselling with regard to his addiction, he did not ask for further help sooner. He is very contrite and is extremely embarrassed to have brought this upon both himself and the club.
Whilst it is disappointing, he has fully co-operated with the club in this matter and we will offer him all the support possible in dealing with this.
The matter is still under review and, until such time as that is complete, neither the club or player will be making any further comment."
Horner is out of the contract at the end of the season with the Caley Jags.
The Scottish FA complaint in full against Horner said: "Disciplinary Rules allegedly breached:
"Disciplinary Rule 22: In that between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012, both dates inclusive, you placed bets upon football matches in contravention of Disciplinary Rule 22 of the Scottish FA’s Disciplinary Rules for Season 2011 / 2012 in that:
i) You placed a total of 12 bets upon football matches; and/or
ii) That of those 12 bets placed upon football matches two accumulator bets were placed both of which featured bets placed against your own club.
Disciplinary Rule 31: In that between 1 July 2016 and 1 May 2017, both dates inclusive, you placed bets upon football matches in contravention of Disciplinary Rule 31 of the Scottish FA’s Disciplinary Rules for Season 2016/ 2017 in that:
You placed a total of 343 bets upon football matches; and/or
That of those 343 bets placed upon football matches 1 accumulator bet was placed which featured a bet placed against a team from your own club."
This is another case of gambling in football for the governing body to deal with, after former Rangers midfielder Joey Barton's well-publicised case earlier this year.