A spokesman for this large European operation, which accepts bets from bookmakers and high-rolling punters, said last night: “I know of betting issues regarding the two footballers you’ve just mentioned, but we have a strict policy of not discussing anything that involves a client.

“All I’m prepared to say is that I’m aware of one bookmaker who has taken big bets from both these players. One of them owes a lot of money – around £1m. Maybe a bookmaker will end up taking him to Tattersalls Committee, who settle horse-racing betting disputes of this nature.

“I’d be disappointed to see it going that far, as he’s such a big name in football, and it could cause him no end of problems.

“The other player owes in the region of £100,000, but he’s also proving difficult to pin down.

“We are the middle-men. If a punter owes money, then it’s up to the bookmaker who accepted the bets in the first place to chase for it.”