Played Out - The Legendary Sportsmen Who Gambled With Their Careers
With reports that Phil Mickelson's gambling losses run into the millions, a look at those athletes who had the book thrown at them for embracing the bookies.
You can’t go online these days without chancing upon a story about a sportsman who enjoys a flutter. From a Premier League ace savouring a day at the races to Floyd Mayweather prowling around the tables in Vegas, no end of athletes have the betting bug. But then there’s that small percentage of people who can’t help but take things a bit further…
1) Pete Rose
‘Charlie Hustle’ still holds the record for the most hits in baseball history. However, Rose’s reputation was sullied by allegations that, while coaching the Cincinnati Reds, he not only gambled on games but actually bet on his own side to lose. Though these claims were never substantiated, a deal struck with Major League Baseball means this great of the game will never be admitted to the sport’s hallowed Hall Of Fame.
2) Paolo Rossi
The star of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning side, Rossi once looked set to be remembered as something other than a champion. While playing for Perugia in 1979, Rossi participated in the infamous Totonero betting scandal, a scheme that spanned two divisions and countless teams. A three year ban disqualified him from the 1980 European Championships but elapsed just prior to Espana ’82 where Rossi also claimed the coveted Golden Boot.
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