Scot loses big bet on England win

Henrik Larsson celebrates after Sweden equalise against England

A Scotsman has lost out after placing the biggest bet yet on England to win a match in the World Cup.

Bookmaker William Hill said a man from Inverness had taken a wager of £40,000 on Sven-Goran Eriksson's side to beat Sweden at odds of 11/8 on Tuesday.

He stoods to rake in £95,000 if the bet came off. William Hill said it was "remarkable" such a bet had been placed by a Scot.

England drew 2-2 against Sweden in their final Group B game in Cologne.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "It is remarkable that the biggest bet yet placed on an England game has come from a Scottish client."

He added that the majority of bets taken north of the border were for Sweden to win the game.

Mr Sharpe said the Inverness punter appeared to be the only Scot other than Chancellor Gordon Brown to admit publicly to be supporting England.

There has been controversy about reluctance among Scots in giving their backing to England during the World Cup.

First Minister Jack McConnell said he would be supporting some of the smaller countries, while Prime Minister Tony Blair said Scots should back their neighbours.