Betfair, the betting company that took bets from Joey Barton for more than 10 years, 'are more to blame than anybody else' for his suspension, according to former footballer Leon Osman.
Barton has been suspended from football for 18 months after he admitted a Football Association misconduct charge relating to betting on matches.
But although Barton himself has taken responsibility for his actions - though vowed to appeal the penalty - Osman says the bookies are really to blame.
'The betting company hasn't done him no favours,' said former Everton and England midfielder Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live.