Yet another moral imbecile on Radio Sport (May 12, 2003)

The scandalous story of Canberra Raiders players possibly betting on
themselves should ring alarm bells throughout the sports world. 
Certainly, if players are betting on themselves to win,  and they're
in good form as they are at the moment, it might seem that this is a
motivating factor for them to try harder.

However, think about this a moment longer.  What happens if they lose
three or four games in a row?   Sensible players will surely start
playing the odds - and betting on their  team to LOSE.   The danger is
inescapable; hence the ban on players betting.  Quite simple.  Isn't
it?

Well, not if your name is Phil (Phat Man) Gifford. The bearded,
beer-gutted neo-Cantabrian football "pundit" may now be heard every
weekday on that substandard vehicle of aural pollution, Radio Sport.
Now, Gifford clearly regards himself as superior to his colleagues.
A few years back, he wrote scathingly (and accurately) of the "feral
broadcasters" at Radio Sport, which drew a frothingly angry response
from his main target, Martin (Moron) Devlin. And during his
occasional appearances on the late, unlamented football banter show
Tight Five,  Gifford maintained a look of constant disdain, his mouth
and nose twisted up as if he was either (a) swilling a mouthful of
stewed tea, or (b) eating a freshly vomited ratburger,  or (c) eating
shit off a wire brush.   The message he was trying to convey was quite
clear:  Phil Gifford is SERIOUS and THOUGHTFUL.   Unlike those oafs
Quinn, Fitzsimons, Shelford, Mexted, and the rest.

So we can no doubt look to this thoughtful, bearded, SERIOUS
commentator for some insightful comments about this betting scandal.
Right?  Well, not exactly.

This afternoon, Gifford interviewed Rugby League Week Editor Neil
Cadigan.  These two philosophical masterminds of course discussed the
Raiders' putting money on their own games...

GIFFORD:  [slowly, to indicate deep cogitation]  To be honest, I can't
see - I can't really see even where the problem is with that.

CADIGAN:  I think it's rather healthy, really.

GIFFORD:  Well, I would have thought so. What's the problem?

....................................................................................................

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How exactly is Phil Gifford, who "can't really
see" any problem with players gambling on the outcome of their own
games,  superior to the "feral broadcasters" he attacked so
forthrightly in the past?

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