Morning:
10°c
Hammers star hit by death threats over £800k debt
Georgina Littlejohn10 Sep 2008
West Ham player Matthew Etherington has received death threats over his £800,000 gambling debts.
The 27-year-old winger was forced to ask the club for a loan after he was warned that his life would be in danger if he didn't pay off a substantial sum.
Worried bosses gave him a £300,000 wages advance to get him out of immediate danger. But the club told Etherington, who earns £30,000 a week, he must start counselling for his gambling addiction.
A source said: "Matthew has been a very worried young man. The club decided they had no choice but to help.
"They know how much courage it took him to come to them. It is not a conversation you want to have with your club.
"Matthew just wants to pay back the money and have this nightmare over."
A West Ham spokesman said they had given the player "full support" and added: "We are working to support him through it. Matthew knows he needs professional help and accepts it is a priority in his life."
The former Spurs star was treated for gambling addiction in 2006 but relapsed after 18 months. The following year he was fined £2,000 and banned from the road for a year after admitting drink-driving.
He then spent a week at Sporting Chance - a rehab clinic set up by former England star Tony Adams.
Reader views (3)
I would hope you would not be letting him play football until his debt is paid. This sets up a real danger to the betting system when you have a player who can be manipulated.
- Rich, London, UK, 10/09/2008 23:23
Report abuse
What an abuse of money. Gambling is a useless activy that rarely sees the gambler "up". This addiction is highlighted with small wins and big loses.
- Brandon Thomas, London SW7, 10/09/2008 14:20
Report abuse
Another fool and his money easily parted.
- Dannyp, Egham, 10/09/2008 12:55
Report abuse
