The FA and Gambling Commission are investigating after National League side Sutton United reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw "admitted that he knew a betting company was offering odds of 8-1 against him eating a pie on the bench during the club's 2-0 defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup," according to Ed Aarons of the London GUARDIAN. The FA is considering taking action after Shaw was "captured eating a pie" toward the end of Monday night's fifth-round tie at Gander Green Lane. An FA spokesperson said, "We are investigating to establish whether there has been any breach of The FA rules relating to betting." The regulatory body for Britain's multi-billion pound gambling industry "also revealed it is already looking into the incident" to ensure Sun Bets had conducted its business "with integrity." After the match, Shaw "made no secret of the fact that he had been aware of the bet," telling reporters he had "pulled off the stunt" to give fans "a bit of banter" (GUARDIAN, 2/21). The BBC reported Sun Bets, which sponsored the club on Monday for the fifth-round tie, tweeted that it had paid out a "five-figure sum" on the bet. Sutton Manager Paul Doswell said after the game, "I don't think it shows us in the best light" (BBC, 2/21).
SHAW RESIGNS: In London, Jack de Menezes reported Sutton sacked Shaw after he was pictured on TV eating a pie after Doswell "made all three substitutions during the 2-0 loss." After the "initial comedy wore off though, the incident was revealed to be a publicity stunt for a betting company who offered odds on Shaw eating a pie during the match." A club statement released on Tuesday confirmed that Shaw accepted the "club’s request for him to resign." The statement said, "Wayne Shaw has resigned from his role at Sutton United following the events of last evening and subsequent publicity. He has said that he 'fully understands the club’s position regarding this matter'" (INDEPENDENT, 2/21).
CASHING IN: In London, Samuel Lovett reported supermarket chain Morrisons has approached Shaw. The supermarket "is keen to add the 23-stone goalkeeper" to its "Pie Tasting" team and made "quite the offer: a year’s worth of pies." Should Shaw accept, it is "expected the 46-year-old will join Morrisons on a one-year deal, joining the backroom staff as a Pie Taster for the store's new range" (INDEPENDENT, 2/21).
