THE FAI plan to open a confidential hotline for players who have concerns about betting issues in the game.

With reports recently that a whopping €1.4million was wagered, mainly abroad, on a single Setanta Cup sports game last season, the FAI and the League of Ireland, while confident that the game here is 'clean', are concerned about the possibility of match- fixing or spot-fixing allegations arising, especially given the recent claims in England that an Asian-based 'fixer' claimed he could influence games in Ireland.

"It's one of the big issues we have in football worldwide and we are no different," says FAI Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin.

"We are very vigilant and ask everyone to be vigilant, we are working with the PFAI to have workshops for our players around this issue, and we hope to put in a confidential phone line for people to contact us regarding issues where players don't feel comfortable and they can get in touch with us that way.

"UEFA monitor all our games, all games in top divisions in every league in Europe and we would be informed of any suspicion they would have around any of our games, and no one has brought anything to our attention regarding betting on games.

"I am aware of the money that's spent on our games, they are sizeable figures.

"It happens in all leagues across Europe but particularly when the matches are being held at a time when there are few other fixtures, but as regards any illegal or irregular patterns, nothing has been brought to our attention."