Roo’s £750k a week Chinese takeaway
BUT 23-STONE KEEPER GETS SACKED FOR EATING A PIE
THE 23st goalie who scoffed a pie as his team played in the FA Cup has been booted out of the club after his stunt sparked a furore over betting.
Wayne Shaw, 45, quit Sutton United in tears after the FA and the Gambling Commission launched inquiries into whether rules have been broken.
Betting regulations may have been breached because he knew that odds were being offered on him tucking into a pie during the match and he spoke to pals about it before the game.
The back-up keeper’s antics on the sidelines during Monday’s defeat to Arsenal had millions laughing. But the club were not happy.
Wayne told Piers Morgan on ITV show Good Morning Britain yesterday: “I think there were a few people [who bet on it]. Obviously we [the players] are not allowed to bet. I think a few of the mates and a few of the fans.
“It was just a bit of banter for them. It is something to make the occasion... and you can look back and say... we got our ticket money back.”
After hours of speculation over gambling rules, he quit yesterday afternoon after being asked by the club to resign.
Sutton manager Paul Doswell said: “I’m devastated, the chairman is devastated. I’ve spoken to Wayne and the guy is in tears.” Wayne also worked as a groundsman at the nonLeague club in South London.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: “So Wayne Shaw, who slept on a sofa 3 nights a week at Sutton to maintain and run the place loses his job over #piegate. FFS! Day by day football is losing its... sense of humour.” Sun Bets, which sponsored the National League team for the game, said it paid out a “five figure sum” on Wayne being seen on camera eating a pie during the game at odds of 8/1. Richard Watson, of the Gambling Commission, said: “We’ll be looking into any irregularity in the betting market and establishing whether the operator has met its licence requirement to conduct its business with integrity.”
The FA said it was investigating to see if there “has been any breach of the FA rules relating to betting”.
Sutton United said: “We are naturally disappointed that Wayne’s time with us should end in this manner.”
Wayne devoured the treat after all the team’s subs were used up, meaning he would not play. He later said he had eaten a pasty not a pie.