Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion has taken the extraordinary step of banning reporters and photographers from The Guardian from its home stadium, following a series of articles investigating the gambling activities of its billionaire owner, Tony Bloom.
The Stadium Ban and the Allegations
The club informed the newspaper on Sunday that it would be "inappropriate" for its journalists to receive accreditation for matches, starting with the game against West Ham United that same day. This decisive action comes in direct response to The Guardian's recent reporting, which has prompted questions from Members of Parliament.
Last week, the publication revealed that Bloom, Brighton's majority shareholder, is being sued in a High Court case in London. The lawsuit alleges that his gambling syndicate, Starlizard, sometimes used "frontmen" to place bets on sports events. A public court document names George Cottrell, a close associate of Reform party leader Nigel Farage, as one such alleged front for the syndicate.
The legal dispute is between Bloom and a former associate, Ryan Dudfield, who claims he is owed a share of profits. The court papers suggest the syndicate makes around £600 million in winnings each year. Bloom has not yet filed a defence to these claims and did not respond to The Guardian's questions.
Claims of Betting on Own Club Denied
A subsequent report focused on allegations that Bloom could be an anonymous gambler behind $70 million (£52 million) in winnings, which purportedly included bets on matches involving his own football teams. Through a source, Bloom strongly denied ever betting on Brighton or competitions they are involved in, calling such claims "entirely false".
Following the story's publication, Bloom issued a public statement via the football club, stating: "I can categorically assure our supporters that I have not placed bets on any Brighton & Hove Albion matches since becoming the owner of the club in 2009."
Political Reaction and the Public Interest
The reports have sparked significant concern in political circles. Clive Betts, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on football, said on Friday that the Football Association must conduct "a thorough and comprehensive investigation".
Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith added his voice, stating: "The FA must be much more transparent about their lax policy concerning the use of gambling money in the running of their clubs."
A spokesperson for The Guardian responded to the ban by saying: "It is a worrying development that Brighton has introduced this ban. The questions raised by our reporting are in the public interest and have been pursued in a responsible manner." The situation highlights the ongoing tension between football club ownership, the gambling industry, and press freedom.
