Footballer admits he played through injury to pay for his £2 million gambling addiction
Michael Chopra, former Newcastle, Cardiff and Sunderland striker, has recently admitted to a multi-million pound gambling addiction.
Chopra said: “Your first bet’s your worst bet. As the years have come along and I’ve earned more money I’ve started to gamble more. I was gambling up to £20,000 a day at times. As soon as I’d step over the white line I would focus on football – but as soon as I got to the dressing room I would check my phone to see if I’d won.”
The striker has revealed that his move from Cardiff to Sunderland was based entirely on the sum of his signing-on fee, which was enough to pay off his looming gambling debts. He also admits playing through an injury so he could continue getting paid – a selfish decision that could have effected the success of the football team.
With the help of the Sporting Chance Clinic, the troubled footballer is now keen to fight his addiction and pay his current club – Ipswich Town – back for their loyalty and support by helping them back into the Premier League.
If you are struggling with an addiction such as gambling, smoking, drinking or eating, you may benefit from the help of a hypnotherapist. You can find a hypnotherapist near you by using the search tool on our homepage and browsing our hypnotherapy directory.
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