IRISH CUP: March date by IFA to review Crewe United betting case

The Mid-Ulster Intermediate League club have been made aware of an IFA investigation into Crewe’s Irish Cup sixth-round tie with Championship leaders Warrenpoint Town.

It is understood Crewe, following notification from the game’s officials, have taken the decision to suspend five players pending results of the investigation by the IFA Security and Integrity Department.

There has been no suggestion that anyone connected to Warrenpoint was involved in inappropriate betting. Warrenpoint won the tie by a 5-0 margin.

The Irish Cup match was considered the biggest game in Crewe’s history.

The IFA have confirmed a case report will now be considered at the Wednesday, March 8 meeting of the disciplinary committee.

“Following allegations of inappropriate betting by registered players of Crewe United around the club’s Irish Cup sixth-round match against Warrenpoint Town, an investigation was carried out by the Irish FA’s Security and Integrity Department,” confirmed the IFA in a statement. “A case report has been prepared and has now been submitted to the Association’s Disciplinary Committee, who will consider it at their next meeting on Wednesday 8th March.”

Regulations posted on the IFA website in relation to betting include the following specific restrictions: you are not allowed to place any bet on a game

involving your club; you are not allowed to ask or instruct anyone to place any of the bets above on your behalf; all players registered with a club are deemed to participate in every match played by that club, at whatever level (e.g. first team, reserves), while they are so registered; all employees of a club are deemed to participate in every match played by that club while they are so employed.