Paddy Power Offers Odds On Dead Footballer To Replace Harry Redknapp

'You should be ashamed of yourselves.'

A bookmaker has been condemned for offering odds on a dead football player replacing sacked Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp.

Paddy Power gave 66/1 on ex-Aston Villa and England defender Ugo Ehiogu taking over.

Ehiogu, who also played for Middlesborough and Rangers, died aged 44 after suffering a heart attack on 20 April at Tottenham’s training ground, where he coached the under 23 side.

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Ugo Ehiogu died in April
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“You should be ashamed of yourselves,” wrote one Twitter user, while Paul Davenport called it a “sick trick”, vowing never to use the firm again.

Tom Wainwright branded the bookmakers, which is known for its controversial stunts, “sick bastards.”

Paddy Power said in a statement: “This was a genuine error, a trader re-used an old market as a template for this one, and didn’t notice that Mr Ehiogu was included.

“Obviously, that was a mistake, one which was rectified as soon as it was spotted, within minutes. 

“We apologise to the family if they saw the tweet - it was obviously a mistake, and no offence was meant.”

A spokesman added that no one had placed that particular bet.