FAI investigates suspicious betting on Irish football matches

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) are set to investigate this weekend’s League of Ireland First Division match between Cobh Ramblers vs Limerick FC in relation to suspicious betting.

A 3-2 victory for underdogs Limerick has been placed under scrutiny with regards to betting activity witnessed on a market that is reported to have attracted ‘significant volume’ for an encounter that usually holds little punter interest.

Match reports detail that favourites Cobh Ramblers went 2-0 down in the first half of the game. The Cork side would level the match before losing 3-2, conceding two penalties.

The Times reports that Paddy Power and bet365 had shut down wagering on the football market shortly before Limerick’s opening goal, a rare measure undertaken by bookmakers.

Adding further concerns for Irish football integrity, the FAI will investigate a 19 April match between Limerick and Shelbourne, which is reported to have attracted a ‘major gamble’ on a Shelbourne win (finished 2-0 to Shelbourne).

Reacting to reports, Cobh Ramblers manager Stephen Henderson told Irish media that the club would help the FAI with any investigation.

“We are just a group of volunteers trying to run a club,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of work over the past four years and we don’t want that to be damaged by anything.”