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 Matt Scott |
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| The Stoke City midfielder Matthew Etherington is being pursued by bookmakers for a substantial six-figure sum he has run up in gambling losses. According to a close associate of the player his debt stands at "several hundred thousands of pounds". In the knowledge that some gambling debts are not legally enforceable, Etherington's lawyers have disputed some of the sums involved. Etherington's agent refused to comment yesterday. Stoke City are offering to help him through the dispute and he is in negotiations to extend his estimated £20,000-a-week contract at the Britannia Stadium after impressive performances this season. An element of Etherington's contract discussions has centred on the up-front payment of a portion of his salary to help relieve at least some of the debt. It is generally acknowledged that gambling debts make sportsmen and women vulnerable to being targeted by bookmakers who seek the manipulation of results. There is no suggestion that this has occurred in Etherington's case. Indeed, there are extra protections in place for Etherington, who is being insulated from any dialogue with his creditors. "He doesn't speak to anyone he owes money to," said his associate. "It is all done through a lawyer." Etherington's associate insists that his financial difficulties are "historical" and that he "has been clean of gambling for some time". The winger had previously received a £300,000 loan from his former employer, West Ham United, which covered only part of his debt to bookmakers. The situation was so unusual that West Ham required the prior approval of the Premier League to be permitted to forward the loan to Etherington. |
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