Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion has taken the extraordinary step of banning reporters and photographers from the Guardian newspaper from its home stadium. The move comes in direct response to the publication's recent investigations into allegations concerning the club's billionaire owner, Tony Bloom, and his gambling activities.
The Ban and the Allegations
The club formally notified the Guardian on Sunday, stating it believed it "would be inappropriate" for its journalists to receive accreditation for matches. This ban took immediate effect, starting with the fixture against West Ham United at the American Express Community Stadium.
The decision follows a series of reports by the newspaper. The first revealed that Bloom is being sued in the High Court in London. Legal documents allege that "frontmen" were sometimes used when his Starlizard Betting Syndicate placed wagers on sporting events.
The court filing names George Cottrell, a close associate of Reform party leader Nigel Farage, as one individual said to have acted as a front. The case is a dispute between Bloom and a former associate, Ryan Dudfield, who claims he is owed a share of profits. The syndicate is alleged to generate around £600m in winnings annually.
Claims of Bets on Own Club Denied
A subsequent Guardian story focused on allegations that Bloom could be an anonymous gambler behind $70m (£52m) in winnings, which purportedly included bets on football matches involving his own teams.
Bloom has not yet filed a legal defence to the lawsuit and did not respond to the Guardian's initial questions. Regarding the claim about betting on his own club, a source close to him stated any such allegations were "entirely false".
He later issued a public statement through the football club, saying: "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 Public Interest Defence
The reports have prompted significant concern among Members of Parliament. Clive Betts, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on football, said the Football Association needed to conduct "a thorough and comprehensive investigation".
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith added that "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 defended its reporting, stating: "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 standoff highlights growing tensions between football club ownership, media scrutiny, and the sport's complex relationship with the gambling industry.
