Chopra, who has fought the addiction throughout the majority of his career, said his £5m transfer from Cardiff to Sunderland in 2007 was motivated by his desire to collect a signing on fee to pay off gambling arrears. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15538765.stm
Ouch. i remember paul merson had a massive gambling problem, maybe we'll be seeing him on soccer saturday when he hangs up his boots but seriously, at least he's getting himself back on track
I hope so Swamp, I'd hate to see him end his football days with nothing to show for it. That would be sad.
Just goes to show how gambling gets to you. I read the whole article and it makes for pretty sad reading.
It is well known around Bridgend that he dropped £25k one afternoon at Ladbrokes, Broadlands. Like any addiction, an awful manner in which to loose your way in life. Hope he can sort it out and admitting the problem is the first step.
I think you are right. I have a lot of respect for him for doing this, especially knowing how much publicity it would generate. Respect also to Jewell for the manner in which he is supporting him.
Playing devils advocate for a moment, is Chops implying that Cardiff did not support him? I hope he gets better but I find it difficult feeling sorry for him as he is in such a privileges position. Maybe I m being harsh but I am a great believer in people having the final decision in what they do.
Sorry a gambling addiction I dont understand, alcohol, drugs and the like yes but how do you become addicted to giving your money away, sad I agree but surely a wage packet of 20K plus is like winning the pools every week. I do hope he gets sorted just so that the fans who pay a large portion of their hard earned money to see him play get full value for it.
But can't have any sympathy for reasons mentioned by Sussex and Taff above. Obscene that a man can throw away £20,000 a day - more than most people earn in a year. It sounds as if he was completely disconnected from reality, and for me it's totally self-inflicted. Alcohol and drugs are a chemical dependence. This was not. Second reason is I can't stand the guy. Bit like Trundle or Tate for you if the positions were reversed.
the more I read the angrier I get. Chopra left us the first time for the signing on fee. Then he played injured because he needed the appearance fee. he'd be gambling all night before a game train / play on two hours sleep and then the little **** says I know I have to repay the Ipswich fans for their support? Ipswich fan? you've been there 4 bastard months and they'll soon turn you if you don't get your arse in gear. How about a big ****ing apology to the Cardiff fans then? So sympathy? none whatsoever. oh and the sporting chance clinic must be top notch, how many times has he been in there?
Absolutely agree with you 100%. I'll tell you about an incident I had with Chopra back in January. I was driving along Cardiff Road, Dinas Powys - approaching the Merrie Harrier junction, just where the new bus lane is. Suddenly, about 5 cars behind, this Audi A8 driven by you know who pulled out into the Bus Lane, and undertook everyone, and because I beeped at the arsehole, he cut me up & slammed on the brake, causing me to crash into him. I was hoping the whole thing was caught on cctv, but apparently not, and the police took no further action. So, on hearing this story about Chopra & his wasted millions, do I have any sympathy? NOPE!
To me gambling is an addiction and like all addicts will find it hard to stop. He's done the first step admitting he has a problem. Like you guys I'm not happy with some of the things he's said but glad he's trying to put his life in order, there is no certainty that they will succeed. Aussie, like most Cardiff fans I have distain for Trundle and Tate but I would not wish this addiction on them.
I feel for the guy.His gambling is an impulse-control disorder and without treatment he is powerless to stop.Looking back at his time with us and how he pushed the club forward,we at least owe him some compassion in his time of need. What will stain his name from my point of view is if it is found that he actually gambled on the results of games he played in,but as I said earlier,he had no control.
For what it's worth, Mrs Aussie agrees with you guys - it's a recognised addiction she says. Now I'm in trouble.
HTR! I remember reading about John Hartson's fight with cancer and how he also acknowledged how gambling was also an illness.He was hounded while trying his best to give up betting,by vermin who were intent on encouraging him to continue. Fair dues to the missus.
Unless you have been there, you are not quaified to judge........I agree that Chopra has a priveleged life style and that the amount of money he has wasted is obscene, but footballers haven't lived in the real world for a long time, the guy has a problem, which he is trying to deal with.........does he deserve sympathy? Personal choice I won't condemn him, but I can understand why some people might
Well as some of you know, Gambling certainly is an addiction, probably worse mentally than drugs or alcohol, very hard to kick, like i said in a different thread, Money becomes worthless, it means nothing at all, you can win £5k and you cant wait to get rid of it, there is little emotion involved and it is very secretive, you can tell if someone is on the drink or drugs (usually) but how do you suss a gambler, you cant, he is trying to face up to it, but it will be mega hard for him to stop, i am free of the addiction now and can pass a betting shop without having the desire to go in, it is a shameful addiction like any other and as hard to kick the same as any other. Good Luck to the boy, like i was, it is ruling his every waking minute.
any addiction is bad so i wish chops well, he is a talented footballer that has problems that has effected his game, its a big shame and i hope he can get himself sorted out soon...
It is an illness and he is among a list of City players who seemed at the time gems then after a little time the reasons we got them to sign surfaced. Chopera - Gambling Ross - Booze/weight control Bothryde - vertigo Fowler- Money grabbing Whitley - Colombiain sniffing powder/Booze McVeigh - Booze Koumas - Booze Etuhu- Punchy.
