Evening Standard (London): Bet it's not Owen Liverpool striker was bookie, not the big loser

SENIOR Football Association sources today denied that Michael Owen ran up debts of pounds 30,000 in England card schools during the World Cup.

Owen has been named in reports this morning as the player who allegedly signed a cheque for losses to other players during their time in Japan.

But Standard Sport can reveal that the Liverpool star was in fact the bookmaker, along with Teddy Sheringham, for any gambling activities that took place.

It is common practice in football circles for a player, or players, to be nominated as bookmaker for the entire trip when activities have also included race nights. The bookie can also lose money, but in this case it is understood they did not.

Gambling has hit the headlines again this week after it was alleged one England player had piled up debts in Japan and Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen admitted losing pounds 400,000 in a London casino on a roulette spree.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made it clear today that he would clamp down on heavy gambling among his players if the habit began to affect their performances.

Wenger insisted that, although he allows card schools among the squad when they travel, there are no high rollers at Arsenal. "We don't have a problem with gambling at all inside the club," he said.

"And I don't think that football overall has a gambling problem. Maybe just a few players have, one or two per cent of the footballing population.

Everyone has a bet in England - it is a national sport. You can bet on anything - who will score the first goal, the second goal even how many corners there will be.

"But gambling, like any addiction, can interfere with your professional life. Any addiction can be a handicap. But at Arsenal I have never had to face the problem. I like the players to play a little cards but if I found out it was for big money, I would forbid it. It can upset people and if it goes too high then you can be in trouble.

"A club is a place where you work. Even if you are travelling, you are working.

"And if there was a player at Arsenal who lost a lot of money, I think I would hear about it. If the gambling goes to a level where it can trouble the attitude of the players then you have to step in. But at the moment I am not concerned. I don't feel we have that kind of problem at Arsenal."

Asked about reported debts of pounds 30,000 run up by one England player during the World Cup, whose identity remains a mystery, Wenger said: "I find that amazing. That would be dangerous. Maybe he sometimes makes pounds 30,000 by gambling but it doesn't really work like that. If you play every day, you lose. It is mathematics."