Leon Osman was, understandably, perplexed. How did bookmakers allow Joey Barton to bet for 10 years, using his real name and his home address? It does seem rather strange.
Osman explained that when he stopped playing for Everton last year, he opened an online betting account. It had been running for six weeks when it was suddenly suspended.
'I had to phone up and explain to them that I was no longer playing football or associated with Everton,' he said. 'They looked me through and released my account. You're not telling me that in 10 years they've not noticed Joey Barton's betting on football.