INVERNESS midfielder Lewis Horner is set to be punished after he was charged with betting against his own team.
The Caley Thistle player has been issued with a notice of complaint by the Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer Tony McGlennan after being accused of breaching strict rules on gambling by placing hundreds of football wagers.
The former Hibernian youngster is alleged to have placed 12 accumulator bets during the period from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, including two which featured bets against his own club.
Horner started the 2011/12 season at Easter Road before moving to East Stirling on loan a few months into the campaign.
He is also accused of placing another 343 bets over the course of the current season, including an accumulator which featured a bet placed against an Inverness line-up.
Horner, who has not featured for Richie Foran's side since December, has already admitted to club chiefs he has a gambling problem.
He has been given until Monday to respond to the charges, with a principal hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 25.
Inverness have promised to support the 25-year-old.
In a statement the club said: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are aware that Lewis Horner has been served with a Scottish Football Association notice of complaint in relation to match betting.
"Upon speaking to Lewis he informed us that he had previously suffered from problems with gambling for which he had sought professional help.
"Lewis regrets that, having previously received counselling with regard to his addiction, he did not ask for further help sooner. He is very contrite and is extremely embarrassed to have brought this upon both himself and the club.
"Whilst it is disappointing, he has fully co-operated with the club in this matter and we will offer him all the support possible in dealing with this.
"The matter is still under review and, until such time as that is complete, neither the club or player will be making any further comment."
Meanwhile, Annan chairman Henry McClelland has also been charged with placing more than 4,000 football bets over a period spanning back to July 2011.
Among those bets were almost 550 that involved the Ladbrokes League Two part-timers, with four placed against his own club.
McClelland has until next Tuesday to respond, with a principal hearing set for Thursday, June 1.
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