After the FA confirmed that they are investigating suspicious betting activity around an Arsenal player, fans have begun their detective work.
As was reported by The Athletic, a considerable amount of cash was understood to have been placed on an Arsenal player picking up a yellow card. The bet was spotted by the bookie and was reported to the FA for investigation.
If an Arsenal player was found guilty of intentionally determining the outcome of a market through an action on the field, whether it be for their own financial gain or the financial gain of an associate, they would be hit with a very severe penalty.
That might have Granit Xhaka sweating under his collar, with fans on social media convinced they have identified the moment that the Switzerland international intentionally got himself booked, time-wasting over a free-kick vs Leeds United.
A longer clip of the incident. Nah this is way too suspect IMO. 4-1 up with 8mins to go, players giving him options and he still doesn’t pass the ball 🤨🤨🤨
— The People’s Champ 🇯🇲🏴🇵🇰 (@TroopzAFC) January 19, 2022
The Granit Xhaka booking in the 86th minute against Leeds that’s being investigated by the FA.
Anyone thinks he was time wasting?
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) January 19, 2022
This tweet sent out on December 18th, the night of the fixture, flagged suspicious betting activity on Betfair in the market of Granit Xhaka to receive a yellow card at any time in the match.
65K matched on Xhaka to be carded. Matched on betfair at 2.56 about 10 mins to go. For conetext most books we’re about 2.88 PREMATCH. Very strange. Anyone know what that’s about? pic.twitter.com/FQRco2Atwe
— FoG (@FoG_BLoG) December 18, 2021
The evidence is not quite conclusive – but it’s pretty convincing, isn’t it?
