WATCH: How pie-eating possibly became illegal betting

Sutton United, who play in English soccer’s fifth-tier, have already grabbed a few headlines by reaching the fifth-round of the FA Cup, reports Phakaaathi.

That dream might’ve been ended on Monday night after they lost 2-0 to Arsenal but Wayne Shaw, their backup goalkeeper, has made sure they stay in the news.

The 45-year-old, who weights a hefty 146kg, became an instant internet sensation after being caught eating a pie on Television during the second half of the game.

✅ Back-up keeper
✅ All three subs made
✅ Time for a pie

Tuck in, Wayne Shaw! #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/gjQWLzugVx

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 20, 2017

Paul Doswell, the Sutton manager, had just made his third and final substitution, prompting Shaw to chow down on his meaty feast.

“I don’t think that puts us in the best of light,” an annoyed Doswell said afterwards.

Yet there’s a serious side to this joke.

Shaw runs the risk of having to attend a disciplinary hearing of the FA, England’s governing body, because he possibly broke regulations on gambling.

SunBets, the betting platform for the daily The Sun, had offered 8-1 odds on Shaw “eating a pie at any stage during the match”.

The shot-stopper admitted he knew of the offer but made a point of stating not him nor his teammates were involved.

https://twitter.com/SunBets/status/833745594996944897

“A few of the lads said to me earlier on: ‘What is going on with the 8-1 about eating a pie? I said: ‘I don’t know, I’ve eaten nothing all day, so I might give it a go later on,’ ” he said according to various reports.

“As I say what is that, Sun Bets had us at 8-1 to eat a pie. I thought I would give them a bit of banter and let’s do it. All the subs were on and we were 2-0 down.”

To keep up with the fun, Shaw also revealed he had taken the pie from the club kitchen during half-time and contained meat and potato.

“I think there were a few people that placed a bet. Obviously we aren’t allowed to bet. I think a few of the mates and a few of the fans did,” said Shaw.

“It was just a bit of banter for them.”

However, the FA’s code of conduct is clear: a player should not “instruct, permit, cause or enable” any person to bet the “result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, a football match or competition.”

Generally, it was an exciting night at Gander Green Lane, Sutton’s homeground.

Flares were thrown, Arsenal fans attacked with bottles and there was a pitch invasion.

– Caxton News Service