Fans are unlikely to receive a payout for bets pertaining to Gareth Bale's winner for Wales against Ukraine in the World Cup play-off final despite a review of the goal.
The 32-year-old struck gold from a free-kick against the Ukrainians in Cardiff on June 5, although his effort took a huge deflection off Andriy Yarmolenko before rippling the net. As such, the strike went down as an own-goal by governing body FIFA.
However, the Football Association of Wales have since confirmed that, following a review, Bale has been awarded the goal, taking his tally of strikes for his country to 40. "Following a technical review, @GarethBale11 has been awarded the winning goal against Ukraine that sent us to the #FIFAWorldCup. Llongyfarchiadau ein capten," they wrote on Twitter this week.
READ MORE: Get your hands on our brilliant Wales at the World Cup souvenir special
As a result of the FAW's significant update, fans who placed bets on the match were quick to query if they were due an unexpected cash windfall. Some supporters had placed sums of money on Bale to score the first goal in the play-off final contest, with others placing bolder bets on the talisman to net the opener and Wales to win by a score line of 1-0, both of which occurred.
Following the FAW update, Wales fan Bob Bank commented: "Does this mean @SkyBet will pay out now as I had money on Bale first scorer?"
Russell Fisher said: "Let's see if they pay out now." And Keir Munn wrote on Twitter: "@paddypower are you now paying out on Bale to score a direct free kick in this game please?"
However, a betting source told WalesOnline it is unlikely that fans will be paid for winning bets that related to Bale's decisive strike against Ukraine. A source said: "A goal will be considered an own-goal if it is officially recognised as such on the day of the game - subsequent decisions by the dubious goals panels do not affect settlement."
It will no doubt prove frustrating for the supporters who will have hoped for a timely cash boost following the FAW's update on the goal. Nevertheless, the strike earned Wales a place at the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
Rob Page's men take on the United States of America in their World Cup opener on November 21 before facing Iran four days later. They sign off their group stage against England on November 29. Wales return to action against Belgium and Poland in the Nations League in September.
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