By Jamie Woodhouse
The fairytale run for Sutton United may be over, as the National League side suffered defeat in the FA Cup 5th round to Premier League Arsenal. But the semi-pro side remain right in the center of media attention – for all the wrong reasons.
Sutton’s 43 year-old goalkeeper coach and reserve keeper Wayne Shaw has left his role, pending an upcoming investigation. The BBC reported that the Gambling Commission is investigating a possible breach of betting regulations after an unnamed bookmaker offered 8-1 odds on Shaw eating a pie on camera during the match.
In what was originally a hilarious magic of the cup moment, Shaw was filmed by BBC cameras tucking into a pie in the 83rd minute of the FA Cup. Media outlets are now swarming around the incident, with Shaw’s resignation suggesting that there may well be truth to the claim.
Twitter users are offering mixed reactions. Nick, believes that the betting scandal is fake news, and that it is a stupid suggestion that Shaw could have been paid by the bookmaker to eat a pie on live TV.
.@jongaunt. Oi, Gaunty, do you get paid by betting shops to eat a meat pie live on telly? lol. More #FakeNews, this time on #WayneShaw. 😂😂😂😂
— 🇬🇧Nick🏴🏴🏴 (@Chelski_Nick) February 21, 2017
Jack Rose doesn’t refer to the incident at all and instead posts this side by side image, showing Shaw in the bar at half time, then a screenshot of him eating the pie during the match.
At the Bar at Half time ✔
Eats a Pie during the game ✔
Wayne Shaw Legend ✔ #SUFCvAFC #WayneShaw #MAGICOFTHECUP pic.twitter.com/ohXWV2g9xU— Jack Rose (@jack_rose10) February 20, 2017
Tom Langridge takes a different stance and lashes out at Shaw, saying he has overshadowed a momentous night for Sutton playing Arsenal in the last 16 of the FA Cup, by getting involved in this scandal.
So sad to see a momentous night for Sutton overshadowed by flagrant spot-fixing #FACup #WayneShaw #SUFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/J8HgMvhRpN
— Tom Langridge (@T0mLang) February 20, 2017
In a club statement, Sutton said: “Wayne Shaw has resigned from his role at Sutton United following the events of last evening and subsequent publicity. He has said that he ‘fully understands the club’s position regarding this matter.’ We are naturally disappointed that Wayne’s time with us should end in this manner, and would like to thank him for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future.”