Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka cleared of involvement in a potential betting scam after a 16-month investigation.

• Granit Xhaka has been cleared of any involvement in a potential betting scam.
• The investigation was conducted by the FA, Gambling Commission, and National Crime Agency after Xhaka received a suspicious yellow card against Leeds in December 2021.
• Although there were suspicious betting patterns, Xhaka is found to have no connection with these irregularities.

Granit Xhaka has finally seen his name cleared in a potential betting scam just a few weeks before he is expected to leave the Premier League.

The allegation that stirred a commotion in the football world was laid to rest, confirming no involvement on Xhaka’s part. The FA, Gambling Commission, and National Crime Agency embarked on an in-depth investigation into a suspicious yellow card incident that took place during an Arsenal-Leeds match in December 2021.

However, all inquiries have conclusively found Xhaka innocent of any wrongdoing.

Alleged betting patterns related to Xhaka’s booking during the Leeds match caused quite a stir, resulting in an investigation that examined every angle, including the potential involvement of the Albanian mafia.

Despite the six-month-long FA probe and subsequent handover to the National Crime Agency, no concrete evidence surfaced to implicate Xhaka in the scandal.

This allegation emerged following Xhaka’s booking by referee Andre Marriner for time-wasting on a free-kick when Arsenal were 3-0 ahead.

Suspicion was raised due to a £52,000 bet placed on Xhaka receiving a caution. However, the thorough examination found no evidence against Xhaka, dismissing claims which had always seemed dubious. In fact, the FA had initially stressed that Xhaka was not under suspicion of wrongdoing in the first place.

Granit Xhaka, who joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, has since made 295 appearances for the club. Despite the rumours and investigation, he has just enjoyed his best Arsenal season. Now, the cleared Arsenal man is set for a return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal have yet to make an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, fans will be relieved to see him absolved from all allegations.