Wrexham forward Andy Mangan claims the desire for a Premier League lifestyle causes illegal gambling.
Liverpudlian lifts lid on illegal gambling in football pyramid
Wrexham forward Andy Mangan claims that the desire for a Premier League lifestyle drives lower division footballers towards illegal gambling.
The now 24-year-old was banned for five months in July 2009 after being found guilty by the Football Association of betting on the correct outcome of the match between Accrington Stanley and Bury in 2008.
Mangan was then a Bury player, although he did not feature in the fixture, and it was decided that he breached FA Rule E8 (a), which forbids individuals gambling on any game or competition in which they play.
The Liverpudlian regrets his actions, but thinks that the wage gap in England's football pyramid is a motivational factor in corrupt practices among players.
Gambling
Mangan told
The Independent: "The younger players look at the (wealthy) ones who are on a lot more and think, 'I would like a lot more money'.
"When you're in that situation you look at the magazines, all the papers, at all the Premier League boys buying all these cars and you think to yourself, 'I'd love that'.
"Maybe they might be good enough to get that, but at the time they are not at the top level. You want it, so how do you get it?
"I know for a fact [players] are gambling on their [own] league, when you are not allowed. I know that - and I know some players know that - but everyone's got to know because there are consequences if they get caught."
