Former scots footie star accused of deliberately getting booked in gambling scam

EX-LIVINGSTON STAR KEAGHAN JACOBS, 35, FACES COURT OVER CLAIMS HE INTENTIONALLY EARNED A YELLOW CARD IN A 2019 MATCH VS CELTIC TO AID A BETTING SCAM. ALEXANDER LAWRIE and EVE BEATTIE News

Reporter at Daily Record 04:30, 02 Jun 2025 A former SPFL star is due to appear in court accused of deliberately getting himself booked in an attempt to cheat at gambling. Keaghan Jacobs,

35, is alleged to have picked up a yellow card on purpose while playing for Livingston in a Scottish Premiership league match against Celtic. He is said to have “acted in a manner whereby he

would receive a yellow card for the purpose of enabling or assisting others to cheat at gambling” during the clash at his team’s Tony Macaroni stadium on October 6, 2019. A second man,

Conan McDiarmid, 40, is alleged to have placed bets – and arranged for others to take punts – on Jacobs getting a caution. JOIN THE DAILY RECORD WHATSAPP COMMUNITY! Get the latest news sent

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'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The case against Jacobs, from Edinburgh, and McDiarmid, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, called at Edinburgh Sheriff

Court last week. Article continues below Proceedings against Jacobs were continued without plea to later this month. McDiarmid’s lawyer lodged a not guilty plea. A trial date was set for

later this year. The match involved in the alleged betting scam saw Livingston secure a 2-0 win, handing the Hoops their first defeat of the season. Jacobs was shown the yellow card by

referee Willie Collum for a foul on winger Jonny Hayes as the game was coming to a close in the 95th minute. Jacobs is a South African national who had two spells with Livingston between

2007 and 2015 and again between 2017 and 2022. The star has played a total of 252 times for the West Lothian club and scored 23 goals. He has also turned out for South African club Bidvest

Wits, Falkirk, Arbroath and is currently playing with Lowland League club Gala Fairydean Rovers. He is believed to have made football history when he played alongside his three triplet

brothers – Kyle, Devon and Sheldon – in a Scottish Third Article continues below Division match between Livingston and Albion Rovers in April 2010. The 2-0 victory in front of just over 600

fans is said to be the only time four brothers have turned out for the same professional senior team in the same match. McDiarmid played as a defender with a number of amateur clubs,

including Edinburgh United and Whitehill Welfare, before he retired in 2020 and moved into management.