Ladbrokes have come under attack for offering odds on Karamoko Dembele playing for Barcelona and breaking Henrik Larsson’s landmark 242 goal tally for Celtic.
Nine minutes of action for the 13-year-old in a Development League match against Hearts on Monday night brought Dembele to the attention of the bookies who are never slow to seek publicity.
While parents may put a bet on their child representing their country or winning an Olympic medal it’s another thing entirely for bookies to cash in on a 13-year-old playing football for fun.
It took Larsson seven seasons to score his 242 Celtic goals. Even with his outstanding ability the variables of the professional game suggest that it would be quite an achievement for Dembele to manage seven seasons in the senior game never mind playing at the top level for Celtic.
Reacting to Ladbrokes laying odds on a 13-year-old Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner Tam Baillie told the Daily Record: “I share the disquiet at yet another example, this time from Ladbrokes, of the commodification of Scottish children in professional football.
“Children are already being subject to actual transfers in the Scottish game and yet the SFA and SPFL turn a blind eye. I’ve taken it up with the Scottish Parliament.
“The amount of money in and around clubs has led to the exploitation of the dreams and aspirations of young people who hope to become professional footballers.”
Speaking about Dembele to the Celtic website Chris McCart explained: “What we need to remember is that Karamoko is just 13-years-old. He was given a chance to play on merit but it is very important that we continue their development at a measured pace.
“Karamoko is still a young boy and has a lot of growing to do, both physically and mentally. The coaches at our Under 13 and 14 levels have been fantastic in nurturing his potential but it is crucial that we do not push him too far, too soon.
“He has a lot of hard work ahead of him to make it to the top and we won’t rush that, but we also know Karamoko, and the other talented young players we have here, is at the perfect place to continue his progress and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this young player.”
Ladbrokes have Mark Warburton at 20/1 for the manager’s job at Aston Villa.
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