Source: Daily_Mail
CHARLES SALE: Bookies probing late rush on Ryan Giggs
Betting exchange Betfair and BBC Sport are at odds over the remarkable gamble on Ryan Giggs to win Sports Personality of the Year in the last hour of the programme.[LNB]Giggs, first listed as a 999-1 shot in the betting, suddenly became a hugely popular choice at around 8pm on Sunday, halfway through the two-hour live programme, and his Betfair odds shortened from 3-1 to 8-11 as sums running into six figures were wagered in the 45 minutes before the lines closed.[LNB] Surprise result: Ryan Giggs lifts the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy[LNB]Betfair are looking into the rush on Giggs and spokesman Tony Calvin said: 'It was a very surprising gamble that came from left field and it's open to speculation what might have happened. We know who struck every bet and we will be investigating the betting patterns. If anything untoward is discovered, we will notify the GamblingCommission. Certainly the amount of money on the night on Giggs winning was unexpected.'[LNB] More from Charles Sale... CHARLES SALE: Beeb hit by manager Brian Laws' Sheffield Wednesday axe13/12/09 Charles Sale: Stoke start clubs' fund for 2018 bid11/12/09 Charles Sale: Award is twice in a lifetime for golfing iconoclast Seve Ballesteros10/12/09 Charles Sale: New Notts County owners may signal Sven's end10/12/09 Charles Sale: FA blazers aren't in the Christmas party spirit08/12/09 CHARLES SALE: Newmarket Two get the brush-off07/12/09 CHARLES SALE: Cup looking half full for FA accountants06/12/09 CHARLES SALE: David Beckham makes another fine save for 2018 bid04/12/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE The BBC have stringent regulations to ensure there is no possibility of the winner's name leaking in advance, and are threatening legal action against suggestions that it might have done.[LNB]The unit which managed Sunday's procedure included a specialist telephone company, independent scrutineers and senior executive David Gordon, who all remained in a room at the Sheffield venue guarded by security while the vote was going on. [LNB]Gordon writes down the results and is then escorted backstage where he hands over the envelopes and sees them read out. He said: 'It's a huge reputation thing. We're proud of the programme and every angle is covered.'[LNB]Some at the Beeb were claiming Betfair are seeking cheap publicity but Calvin countered: 'That's unfair. We have reported factually what happened with the Giggs market.'[LNB] Only BBC Sport, having put on a decent Sports Personality programme,could manage to antagonise VIP guests at the after-show party in Sheffield by having a cordoned-off 'VVIP' section in the same room, guarded by two security heavies. [LNB]Those denied access to the ridiculous inner sanctum included England World Cup bid chief of staff Simon Greenberg and European golf tour chief executive George O'Grady, who could only wave at tour players and their managers inside the ropes. It was all too much for veteran snooker commentator Ted Lowe, who collapsed at the entrance before being revived.[LNB] Many among the 11,000 Sheffield Arena audience believed from his dark expression that Andrew Flintoff was furious with James Corden (Smithy from Gavin and Stacey) for a 2010 Sport Relief sketch filmed pre-show questioning - in jest - how his dodgy knee could allow him to bowl fast in commercials but no longer in Tests. [LNB]But it emerged all those being lampooned, including Dame Kelly Holmes, Paula Radcliffe and Sir Steve Redgrave, were given advance warning, and only Flintoff properly faked his annoyance.[LNB] Ryan Giggs' surprise victory is being put down to a fervent support base in his Welsh homeland, where there is always a bigger than proportionate telephone vote. Also, the PA announcer at Manchester United's game against Aston Villa last Saturday urged the Old Trafford crowd of 75,130 (almost half the 151,473 votes Giggs received) to back the winger.[LNB] Bolt pulls a fast onePuma managed to ambush the show, with sprinter Usain Bolt wearing a heavily branded top in a recording of him receiving the Overseas Personality award. Birmingham is the preferred choice to host its third Sports Personality programme next year despite the success of taking it around the country.[LNB] Channel 4 are competing strongly against the BBC for the TV rights to the London Paralympics, which are being sold separately from the 2012 summer Games. C4's advantage is that they are promising to make the Paralympics the focal point of their entire sports coverage that year, while for the Beeb it can only be of secondary importance after the main event.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Ryan Giggs, Andrew Flintoff, Usain Bolt, Steve Redgrave, James Corden, Paula Radcliffe, Simon GreenbergPlaces:Birmingham
