Online Gambling Site Owner Holds Petition Drive...Take My Mercedes PleaseThe owner of BetFred.com is livid that Israeli player Omer Golan is prevented from driving his brand new £50,000 Mercedes.
As reported last week on Gambling911.com, Fred Done, founder of BetFred.com, had offered one of his prized possessions to any Israel player who could score the winning goal against Guus Hiddink's Russian side. That player got to have Done's £50,000 Mercedes. Getting England's hopes of qualifying for next summer's European Championship back into their own hands required Israel taking points off Russia in Tel Aviv this past weekend. Omer Golan did just that and, as such, Done immediately offered his Mercedes to the player as a supreme sacrifice.
England's new sporting hero, Golan , told the Sun that his side were spurred on to achieve such a result by Russia's pre-match braggadoccio, not by the thought of driving away in Done's new automobile.
"The Russians were in shock. They underestimated us and paid for their arrogance."
That's not to say Golan wouldn't love the new ride.
The Israeli Football Association have ruled that the Golan cannot accept the Mercedes or any other gift for that matter.
Apparently, such a gift contravenes IFA regulations concerning incentives from external sources.
Betfred spokesman Chris Bird remains defiant, telling the Express: "This was not a bribe and there is no law that can prevent us from giving the car to the player."
BetFred.com had even set up a petition drive on their website:
Omer Golan should be driving around in his new car but the Israeli FA have said he cannot accept it as they deem it to be illegal and unethical. Is this any way to treat England's latest hero? Sign the petition and persuade the Israeli FA to let Omer get his car!
Sign Petition Now!
Filed Under: Online Gambling News
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
Originally published November 21, 2007 8:26 am ET
