Three men questioned
Former Celtic and Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths has been questioned as part of a sports betting investigation. Police talked to the 32-year-old on Thursday morning and searched his home in Lanarkshire. He was then brought to a police station in Glasgow and subsequently released without receiving any charges.
the arrest of two others who have involvement in Scottish football
Police searched other properties as part of the investigation, leading to the arrest of two others who have involvement in Scottish football. One of those arrested is a 35-year-old midfielder who is still playing in the Scottish Championship, while the other was a former player who is now an assistant manager at a Scottish Junior team. According to a spokesperson for Police Scotland, each of the men was released without charges pending additional inquiries.
Heavy police presence
The search at Griffith’s home took two and a half hours and involved over ten officers. The detached property is currently up for sale and is valued at £675,000 ($828,360).
Neighbors told local media that there was a heavy police presense and they were not discreet at all.
“The street was full of police cars and a van. They were inside the house and searching the cars in the driveway. It was still dark and the police were using torches (flashlights),” a neighbor told the Daily Record.
“It was chaotic. They were still there when people were going to work.”
Griffiths has denied any wrongdoing, but he did not reveal any details of the discussions he had with the authorities.
Latest footballer in hot water
Griffiths is not the only footballer to be under scrutiny as part of a sports betting investigation. Numerous players have gotten in trouble over the years for their involvement in various types of betting activity.
One of the most recently notable instances involves Brentford striker Ivan Toney. The Football Association (FA) in England has accused the 26-year-old of committing 232 gambling offenses over a four-year period. He was on the brink of making England’s World Cup squad when the revelations came to light. It is unclear what punishment he can expect to receive.
