LEIGH Griffiths claimed to know nothing about an ongoing gambling probe – hours before he quit Scotland with his kids to start new lives in Australia.
The 33-year-old was questioned along with fellow player Paul McGowan, 35, by detectives investigating allegations of betting on yellow cards during a Dundee–Hearts game.
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The duo, who were both playing for the Dens Park side at the time, were among those booked during the match, which Hearts won 1-0.
The game took place in December 2021 and a year later, on December 1 2022, cops arrested and released Griffiths after descending on his £675,000 home in Bothwell, Lanarkshire at 7am.
A third man, Conan McDiarmid, 38, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, was also detained during the coordinated blitz on the three addresses.
Ex-Celtic and Scotland star Griffiths spoke to the Scottish Sun briefly on Wednesday before going to pick up sons Rhys, 12 and Jacon, ten, for their trip Down Under.
When asked how the gambling inquiry was progressing, he replied: “What gambling probe?”
When reminded he had been arrested and his house turned upside down by cops , he replied: “Did it? Did it?”
The following day, Griff was seen wiping away tears at an airport departure gate as the kids’ mum Linzi McCartney, 31, waved them off as they jetted out to stay with him in the west of the country.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed the gambling probe was ongoing.
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They said: “Following a pre-planned police operation on Thursday, 1 December, 2022 three men, aged 37, 35 and 32, were arrested in the Bothwell, Bonnyrigg and Airdrie areas in connection with an investigation into alleged gambling incidents in sport.
“All three men were released without charge pending further enquiries.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
On the two lads going to Oz, upset Linzi posted on Instagram: “An experience of a lifetime for my boys and by far the hardest thing I have ever done and will ever do.
“My beautiful boys off to stay in Australia with their dad and Caitlyn. I can’t put into words how much my heart breaks but knowing how much they fell in love with Australia when they went to visit, they wanted to move.
“I’m already counting the days until I get to hold you both again. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon.”
Griffiths moved to Mandurah City – 45 miles from Perth – to sign for a second spell with the semi-pro club in March.
He is playing for free after being persuaded to rejoin by ex-Raith Rovers forward John Baird, 38, Mandurah’s player-manager.
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