Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has called the recent suspensions handed out to Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali “disgraceful”. Both players received long suspensions for gambling on soccer matches. Tony was handed an eight-month ban in May 2023 for breaching 232 gambling rules.
The Brentford striker only returned to the pitch in January. He has scored four goals in 10 games so far for the Bees. Meanwhile, Tonali is currently serving a 10-month suspension for similar charges. Newcastle acquired the central midfielder from AC Milan in July 2023 for a transfer fee of approximately $69 million. However, the Italian was suspended just three months later.
Despite this, Merson, who now works as a pundit, does not believe that football authorities fully understand the addiction aspect of gambling. The analyst recently addressed the issue during a TV appearance. be fired in the morning Podcast.
“People have no respect for gambling addicts,” Merson said. “We saw that with the suspensions of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Ivan Toney from Brentford.”
“Giving 10-month bans to people who have sponsors all over their shirts against the addiction that is ravaging the world of football… They needed help, and 'help' I don't think that would give them a 10-month suspension.”
“We underestimate this addiction. We need to show some respect for it, not 'Oh, show some willpower.' To the people who are putting these rules in place and keeping people out, I say, 'Next time you get diarrhea, use your will power to stop it.' ”
Merson says gambling problems outnumber alcohol abuse at rehab centers
Merson previously had a successful career with several teams, including the Gunners. During his time at Arsenal, the playmaker helped the north London side win two league titles before the launch of the Premier League. He also won the FA Cup and League Cup trophies with the team.
Although Merson excelled on the pitch, he has been open about his substance abuse and gambling problems as an adult. In a recent podcast appearance, the pundit argued that gambling addiction may be a bigger problem in the sport than alcohol.
“This is a big problem in football, but it's a hidden addiction because it's difficult for managers to grasp,” Merson continued. “It's easy to hide. If a player walks in drinking until 4 a.m., you'll know. But if they drop 200 grand in a casino or gambling, you don't know until it's too late. is.”
“I'm talking to Tony. [Adams] About sports opportunities [rehabilitation clinic], it went from 70-30 in terms of drinking more than gambling, to vice versa, 70% gambling and 30% drinking. That tells you it's a big deal. ”
Players are not allowed to bet on matches in the soccer league.
Merson certainly has a point about how many people think about gambling addiction. Make no mistake, this is not something that is viewed or treated in the same way as an alcohol or drug problem. However, compulsive gambling can essentially ruin your life just as easily as other more prominent and visible problems.
The former Arsenal star is right that addiction needs to be taken more seriously, but professional leagues cannot allow players to bet on matches.
In Tony's aforementioned case, British authorities reduced his sentence because he was officially diagnosed with a gambling addiction. The striker also bet that his team would lose, but he did not play in these matches. If Toney had intentionally helped his team lose while he was on the pitch, he probably would have been punished even more severely.
Photo: Imago