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WATCH: The moment an Oxford player delays play after fouling and is booked in their FA Cup loss to Arsenal, leading to a points-fixing investigation after a flurry of betting… and his three previous ‘fouls’ which ALSO could have led to a yellow card
Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown escaped penalty for challenging Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of the yellow card which sparked an FA investigation into suspicious betting patterns.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed that the FA has a dossier of evidence into alleged corruption, including alleged phone messages ahead of the start of Monday night’s FA Cup third round tie at Kassam Stadium.
The messages claim that Brown would be booked in a bookmaking scam that allegedly cost a bookmaker more than £1,600.
The FA is investigating allegations of point-fixing by Oxford United’s Ciaron Brown (right)
It is alleged that Brown was deliberately booked in the FA Cup third round clash with Arsenal
One message is understood to show a betting slip with around £200 wagered on Brown receiving a yellow card at odds of 8-1.
Brown, a 24-year-old Northern Ireland international defender, was booked in the 59th minute for fouling Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and then for delaying the restart.
But twice within seconds of each other in the first half, Brown makes challenges that could have also resulted in a yellow card.
In the 25th minute, he first deliberately tries to pull back Saka’s shirt as the Arsenal man slips away from him in midfield.
Twice, within seconds of each other in the first half, Brown escaped punishment for challenges on Bukayo Saka: in the first here, he deliberately tugs at the Arsenal man’s shirt.
A few seconds later, Brown beats Saka on the ball, but the Arsenal man falls to the ground.
Play was eventually stopped so Saka could receive treatment, but Brown was not penalized.
Brown then wins the ball past Saka further up the pitch, but the England striker falls to the ground and remains on the ground despite what appears to be minimal contact.
Referee David Coote stops play so Saka can be treated but does not penalize Brown.
Just before that, Brown appears to catch Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu with his elbow during an aerial challenge for the ball.
It is not until the 59th minute that Brown receives his yellow card for a foul on Nketiah and for delaying the restart.
Brown also appeared to catch Takehiro Tomiyasu with an elbow during an aerial challenge.
Brown eventually received a yellow card for fouling Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and then delayed the restart of play.
Brown received the booking in the 59th minute of the game that Arsenal would win 3-0
The yellow card was issued after Brown prevented Arsenal from taking a quick free kick.
The score was still goalless at the time, but Arsenal would win 3-0 thanks to a Mohamed Elneny goal and a brace from Nketiah, setting up a fourth-round trip to Manchester City.
It is unclear how many bets were placed on Brown being booked and the extent of other bookies’ responsibilities, but the FA is taking the matter seriously.
Eyewitnesses at the game said sports mail several Arsenal fans were seen celebrating after Brown was booked, with several of them bragging about having gained hundreds of pounds.