Premier League soccer player
Matthew Etherington has a $1.5 million gambling debt that both his current and former team have helped him try to pay off. In a website report that ran over the weekend, the London Daily Mail said Etherington has a gambling addiction and has received financial assistance from current club
Stoke City and previous club
West Ham United.
Stoke City gave him a raise to $55,000 per week, with a portion slated to pay off the debt.
West Ham United loaned him $500,000 the report said. According to the report, Etherington goes to Gamblers Anonymous meetings twice a week, something he said he will do "for the rest of my life."
The report said Etherington first was treated for his addiction in 2007, when West Ham advanced him money to deal with the debt. In 2008, he was sold to Stoke City, whose chairman Peter Coates also is chairman of the gambling website
Bet365. Etherington's gambling preference was horse and dog races. He said other players at West Ham gambled as well, making it difficult to stop, the report said. The report did not indicate whether Etherington had or had not gambled on soccer matches.
Stoke manager
Tony Pulis has been touting Etherington for a roster spot on England's World Cup squad. In 21 league matches this season, he has two goals and five assists, plus two goals and two assists in three Cup games.
Stoke City's Etherington Owes $1.5 Million
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