Tuesday 26 September 2017 14:16, UK
Hearts have offered their “total support” to striker Kyle Lafferty after he confirmed he has an addiction to gambling.
The former Rangers and Norwich striker has revealed his battle and his desire to overcome an addiction that has cost him thousands of pounds.
The 30-year-old Northern Ireland international will continue to play for the Jambos and the club's owner, CEO and chairwoman, Ann Budge, has praised Lafferty for his bravery in coming forward to seek help for his gambling problem.
"On behalf of everyone here at Heart of Midlothian Football Club, I would like to formally record our total support for Kyle Lafferty as he moves forward to deal with his acknowledged addiction to gambling, as reported today by Tom English on the BBC website," Budge wrote in a statement on Hearts' official website.
"Kyle took the enormously brave step of coming to the club and asking for help. No one should underestimate how difficult that decision was for him and his family.
"However, as is well recognised, the first step to dealing with a problem of this nature is to acknowledge that the problem exists. He has earned our great respect for doing so.
It was every day on the horses and every single race. I was betting on anything; horses, dogs, virtual racing, roulette
"Kyle has the total backing of the coaching staff and his team-mates as he deals with this challenge. It is a testament to the great footballer and character he is, that he has in no way allowed his personal battle to affect his performance on the training ground or on the football field.
"For the avoidance of doubt, Kyle will continue to train and play as normal. Heart of Midlothian has a tremendous fanbase that follows the team in huge numbers both home and away.
"They have taken Kyle to their hearts since he joined the club in the summer and I have absolutely no doubt that they will continue to back him as we all strive to help him deal with this enormous personal problem."
Lafferty was fined £23,000 by the FA in July 2016 - when he played for Norwich - after accepting a betting charge, with professional players prohibited from betting on football-related matters.
He subsequently attended a Sporting Chance Clinic following his FA charge, with Lafferty admitting his issues began after he moved from Burnley to Rangers in 2008.
"About halfway through my contract with Rangers I didn't have anything better to do after training than go to the bookies or sit online," he told the BBC.
"Betting on football had been banned and, if anything, things got worse. I'd bet on horses instead.
"I knew absolutely nothing about horses. I still don't have a clue. I open the app on my phone and go by the colour of the jersey or the name. If it's a winner, it's a winner; if it's not, it's not, and I move on to the next one.
"It was every day on the horses and every single race. I was betting on anything; horses, dogs, virtual racing, roulette.
"I'm one of these people who could wake up in the morning and feel absolutely shattered, then I can flick a button and I'm hyper, I'm the clown and I'm doing the jokes.
"I'm taking my anger out on the training pitch. Football was my escape."
