Didi's Debts

Hamman Has Gambling Troubles

Manchester City veteran Hamann chased over his gambling debt  02 Jun 2009

City veteran Dietmar Hamman vowed to tackle a £600,000 gambling debt on Monday and insisted he would escape the threat of being taken to court.

The former Newcastle and Liverpool midfielder, a free agent after his Manchester City contract ran out, is facing legal action after spread betting firm Sporting Index served papers to the High Court over arrears accumulated over the past three years.

Both parties are negotiating a compromise and the former Germany star said: 'We will find a solution. There won't be any court hearing.'

The 35-year-old is reported to have racked up debts of £706,000 by December, before repaying £100,000.

When he missed a January 3 deadline for clearing the debt, Sporting Index decided to take action.

There is no suggestion Hamann gambled on football matches he might have influenced.

Sorry I can't link it, I got it off newkit's forums. (which are pretty poor to be honest).

Anyway, bit of a blow for Didi. Didn't know he had these sort of problems, hopefully he can get them sorted out ASAP.

i saw this a few days ago but didn't bother posting about it because it is from talkaloadofbull.com

I F***ing hope not,he was pure class,unsung hero.

Shame if true.

 I blame Mickey Owen for teaching Didi to play cards.

Shame that.

He was a great servant for us. Although it's on talkaloadofbull.com, so credibility is diluted.

I love Didi. But if it's true it's his own F***ing fault, I absolutely hate gambling. It ruins lives.

Its a real shame if it is true. I agree, Didi really was an unsung hero.

Pity him there, hope he gets the problem sorted out ASAP.

Quit gambling, Didi!

Dug up an article to lend a bit more credibility to this thread, it does seem to be true unfortunately.

Dietmar Hamann in £600,000 gambling debt fight

A PREMIER League footballer is being pursued through the courts for more than £600,000 in gambling debts.

Dietmar Hamann, the Manchester City midfielder and German international, is being sued by Sporting Index, the spread-betting firm, for losses accumulated since May 2006.

By December last year, Hamann, 35, who spent seven years playing for Liverpool, had racked up debts of £706,000.

He repaid £100,000 on New Year’s Eve, but failed to pay the remainder, due on January 3, according to High Court documents . Sporting Index is also claiming interest of up to £26,400 on the debt.

Hamann, who scored the last goal at the old Wembley stadium before it was demolished, is also being sued by Spreadex, another spread-betting company.

Friends say Hamann will strongly defend the case and denied he was in any financial difficulty.

It is understood he bet on cricket, darts and American football. There is no suggestion he bet on football matches he could have influenced.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article6395955.ece

I do hope Didi will be able to get things in order soon, it's a terrible shame to see an ex-Red in difficulties like these.

I don't have sympathy for Didi, he chose to gamble. Nobody forced him to, so it's his own fault.

But I do hope he can sort it out.

Maybe he should do a deal with Sporting Index.

Double or quits.

Crazy, crazy, crazy.

Imagine playing top level football for 15 years in these times and having nothing to show for it at the end. You'd feel like a real fool, wouldn't you?

Wonder if Riise has sorted himself out yet?

Jesus, could someone tell me what the F**k would Didi know about cricket, darts or American Football.  Hardly high profile sports for a German, are they?

That said, i hope he is able to sort this out.  If anyone can come through it, I bet Didi can.

He is just on a bad run...his luck is bound to change. Go on kaiser , put a £50 on the 415 from chepstow.