Brighton & Hove Albion have barred Guardian journalists and photographers from their home ground following the newspaper's coverage of allegations concerning club owner Tony Bloom and his gambling operations.
The Premier League outfit informed the publication on Sunday that accreditation would no longer be granted for fixtures at the Amex Stadium, with the restriction taking immediate effect ahead of their match against West Ham.
The club stated it felt it "would be inappropriate for journalists and photographers from the Guardian to be accredited to matches at the Amex".
This unprecedented move came in response to recent articles examining the activities of Bloom, a billionaire whose fortune derives from professional gambling through his Starlizard consultancy.
Tony Bloom made his fortune through professional gambling
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The Guardian's reporting centred on a High Court lawsuit filed against Bloom by Ryan Dudfield, a former associate who claims entitlement to a portion of profits generated by the Starlizard Betting Syndicate.
Court documents allege the syndicate employed "frontmen" to place wagers on sporting events, with George Cottrell, a figure closely linked to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, named as one such intermediary.
The collective reportedly generates approximately £600 million annually in winnings, according to filings lodged with the court.
A subsequent article published on Friday raised questions about whether Bloom might be an anonymous high-stakes gambler behind $70 million in winnings in a separate American legal matter, with allegations that these profits included wagers on his own football clubs.
Bloom has not yet submitted a defence to the UK lawsuit.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom has denied the allegations
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Bloom has strenuously rejected any suggestion of impropriety regarding wagers on his own sides.
In a statement issued through Brighton's official channels, he declared: "I can categorically assure our supporters that I have not placed bets on any Brighton & Hove Albion matches since becoming the owner of the club in 2009."
The 55-year-old maintains a special arrangement with the Football Association permitting him to continue betting on football, provided his wagers exclude matches or competitions involving Brighton or his Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise.
He emphasised that his football betting activities undergo annual scrutiny by a leading global accountancy firm to verify compliance with FA regulations.
Bloom described the allegations as "entirely false" and confirmed that legal representatives had contacted the Guardian regarding the claims.
The club has also engaged directly with both the FA and Premier League concerning the matter.
Senior parliamentarians have demanded the Football Association take action in light of the revelations.
The Guardian's reporters have been banned from attending fixtures at the Amex Stadium
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Clive Betts, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on football, insisted the governing body must conduct "a thorough and comprehensive investigation" into the matter.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith was equally forthright, stating: "The FA must be much more transparent about their lax policy concerning the use of gambling money in the running of their clubs."
The Guardian has defended its journalism, with a spokesperson describing the ban as "a worrying development".
Brighton are currently seventh in the Premier League
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The newspaper maintained that the questions posed by its coverage serve the public interest and were pursued responsibly.
Brighton's decision to exclude the publication has drawn criticism from journalism bodies and media commentators concerned about press freedom and club transparency.