Serdar Azmoun, the Roma forward, found himself at the center of social media chatter after a clip surfaced showing him seemingly focusing on horse racing wagers during a match. The footage, shared by a well-known journalist on social platforms, shows a video from the Dillinger News outlet in which the striker is seen in the stands intently watching horse racing on his smartphone while the game unfolds on the pitch.
Commentators seized on the moment as a window into possible gambling behavior. The observer noted that Roma had invested heavily in the player, paying 12.5 million euros, and yet he appeared detached from the action on the field, instead engrossed in the horse races on his screen. The claim sparked debate about whether such distractions reflect a broader trend among young, wealthy footballers who spend a lot of time on their devices during matches.
Quote: The broadcaster asserted that this kind of screen time could be emblematic of a gambling habit. The message, amplified by Corona, a frequent voice on social media, suggested that many young football millionaires are drawn to betting apps and casino games rather than team play. The assertion drew mixed reactions, with some fans urging caution about judging a player from a single moment and others pointing to the importance of professional conduct in the stands. (Dillinger News)
Officials indicated that no formal investigation would be opened into Azmoun since there was no visible evidence of him placing a bet on a football match. The focus remained on the broader discourse around gambling culture in football and the possible risks associated with excessive screen time for athletes in high-pressure settings.
On August 26, Roma announced a one-year loan deal for Azmoun from Bayer Leverkusen. The Iranian striker’s contract with Leverkusen runs through 2027. In the previous Bundesliga campaign, he appeared in 23 league matches, contributing four goals and one assist, as his team finished in sixth place. These numbers illustrate the profile of a forward who can impact the attack when fully integrated into a squad and match plans, even if occasional distractions arise in the stands.
Azmoun’s career path includes time with Zenit between 2019 and 2021, preceded by a stint with Rubin Kazan. His professional trajectory reflects a player who has operated at high levels across European football, bringing experience from multiple leagues to his current role. The broader context remains: clubs often weigh off-field behavior alongside on-field performance when considering a player’s value and reliability. (Dillinger News)
In related discussions, there have been past reports about disciplinary actions related to betting for other players. These mentions serve as reminders of the ongoing conversation about gambling policies in football and how clubs manage the welfare of athletes who frequently travel, train, and compete under intense public scrutiny. Yet every case is different, and authorities typically differentiate between casual betting and actions that would violate league rules. (Dillinger News)