There’s no suggestion of wrongdoing by Granit Xhaka despite the FA’s investigation into a suspicious betting pattern related to a card he received.

Brentford v Arsenal Premier League Arsenals Granit Xhaka shows dejection at a missed chance during the Premier League match at the Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford Copyright: Daniel Hambury
Brentford v Arsenal – Premier League – Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka shows dejection at a missed chance during the Premier League match at the Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford. Copyright: Daniel Hambury

The Times report that FA sources have stressed that there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Granit Xhaka or any other Arsenal player as they investigate suspicious betting patterns.

The Times had confirmed that Xhaka’s yellow card against Leeds United in December was the focus of the FA investigation, but the investigation isn’t into the player himself.

The Athletic initially broke the story that the FA were looking into a yellow card received by an Arsenal player in a Premier League fixture this season over concerns of suspicious betting patterns.

Bookmakers notified the FA of an unusual amount of money placed on an Arsenal player receiving the booking. The Times report this was £52,000.

ESPN added that Arsenal were aware of the situation. At this stage, a formal investigation still hasn’t been opened.

Newcastle United v Arsenal - Premier League - St James Park Arsenal s Granit Xhaka warming up before the Premier League match at St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Issue date: Sunday May 2, 2021.Copyright: Lindsey Parnaby
Newcastle United v Arsenal – Premier League – St James Park Arsenal s Granit Xhaka warming up before the Premier League match at St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Issue date: Sunday, May 2, 2021. Copyright: Lindsey Parnaby

Kieran Trippier was banned by the FA for 10 weeks for betting breaches, after being found to have broken the rules.

Trippier had told a friend to “lump on” his move from Spurs to Atletico Madrid, which the friend did. But they were caught, fined, and punished.

But with Xhaka himself not under investigation, it doesn’t look like we’re set for a repeat of that scenario.