SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Controversial striker Luis Suarez looks set for a lengthy FIFA ban after an alleged bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in last night’s tie between Uruguay and Italy.
Not one to shy away from the action, bookmaker Paddy Power was quick off the mark, with current odds leaning towards some kind of ban; 1/14 –To be banned for at least one game of this World Cup 6/1 – No action to be taken. The odds for Suarez being the tournament’s top marksman have rocketed out to 40/1, suggesting that this could be the end of his involvement in Brazil.
Former England international Paul Scholes used his Paddy Power blog to take aim at the star, calling him an embarrassment to ‘his club, country and family’. He wrote: “He will feel terrible tonight, and the entire incident is such a shame because he’s a tremendous player. But people will remember Suarez now for his biting antics at this World Cup rather than his supreme footballing ability. Banning him for the rest of the World Cup is not enough, because Colombia will beat Uruguay in their next game anyway.”
However one Norwegian punter is celebrating the feat, after placing a bet that serial offender Suarez would strike for the third time on the world’s biggest stage, at odds of 175/1.
Channel TV2 reported that 24 year old Richard Helmersen laughed and cheered when he saw the images flash across his screen, earning him a handsome £1,700. “A little extra money always comes in handy when it’s summer in southern Norway. But there will be plenty of fast football trips to England in the autumn,” he is quoted as saying.
